Young People to Benefit from Fun-packed Spring Activity Program

Young people in Hailsham can enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the spring months, courtesy of Hailsham Youth Service.

The Hailsham Youth Service team has organised a varied line-up of free and low-cost activities as part of the Friday Night Project (FNP), a scheme funded by the Town Council and Safer Wealden Partnership and working in partnership with Hailsham Community College and Knockhatch to create recreational activities for young people on Friday evenings.

Upcoming activities include dry-slope skiing at Knockhatch Ski Centre (ski lessons available for beginners) and ten-pin bowling at Freedom Leisure, as well as trampolining at Urban Jump in Heathfield.

Andy Joyes, Youth Project Coordinator at Hailsham Town Council said: “The Friday Night Project outings are organised to help prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour among young people.”

“Through organising such activities, young people are provided with opportunities to build confidence and develop a broad range of team-building skills that will help create a strong foundation for their future. I would encourage young people to take advantage of the outings that are available to them and get involved.”

“Thanks must go to all Friday Night Project partners, in addition to the Safer Wealden Partnership for its funding throughout.”

In addition to the Friday Night Project, there will be various activities taking place at the Square Youth Café during the spring months, to encourage even more young people through the door. These iinclude table tennis, pool, table football and console/video games, as well as cooking sessions where young people can learn how to prepare food recipes. Computers and free wi-fi are also available.

Afternoon sessions at the Square Youth Café (for school years 7-8) take place Mondays to Fridays, from 3.15pm to 5pm.

The Square Youth Cafe evening sessions are also free to enter, cater for young people aged 13 to 17 and take place Monday to Friday from 6.45pm to 9pm. From June 2020, the centre will open earlier at 5.30pm.

Additionally, sports and other activities for 13-17 year olds including 5-aside football, table tennis and Inflatable Challenge take place every Monday from 6.30pm to 8pm at the James West Community Centre in Brunel Drive.

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook commented: “Parents can be confident that the Square Youth Café provides a safe environment for our local young people, giving them a place to socialise in the evenings and during school holidays by organising trips away and various other leisure activities.

“The youth project team has established a successful and ongoing service for young people in Hailsham and there’s no reason for young people to find themselves bored during the spring period!”

Hailsham Town Council’s youth services, including the Friday Night Project, have recently benefited from the securing of funding from the Safer Wealden Partnership for the purchase of a minibus. The minibus is now available to all local youth groups to hire. Please call 01323 841702 or email enquiries@hailsham-tc.gov.uk for further details.

For information on activities and bookings, visit www.hailshamyouthservice.org.