Creating spaces designed by young people in Heathfield

People from the local community came together to celebrate the opening of the new Heathfield Youth Hub building in East Sussex.

The original 1950s building has been completely rebuilt following a multi-million-pound redevelopment project. Work to build a new fully accessible, energy efficient, two-storey youth centre building started in May last year, with the project made possible thanks to a grant of £5million from the Youth Investment Fund.

A special launch evening for local young people, parents and carers, as well as local residents was hosted by Heathfield Youth Workers in September to celebrate the opening of the new centre.

The new facilities include:

• A teaching kitchen and coffee bar
• Sensory room, art room and a music room.
• The newly built building also boasts a fitness suite, a sports hall, a youth zone with table tennis, pool and table football, and an outdoor sports court.
• A range of youth groups now run from Heathfield Youth Hub every week, which young people can get involved with.

Local young people worked with the architects on the new Youth Hub’s design, and they made decisions about the programme of activities offered to young people from the new space.

The Youth Hub was officially declared open by Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, following a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

Cllr Bob Bowdler, lead member for children and families at East Sussex County Council, who also attended the launch event, said:

“I am absolutely delighted we are able to open the new Heathfield Youth Hub building today.

“This Youth Hub is a much-loved community facility which helps provide local young people with opportunities to learn, socialise, and access support. This new building will mean we can offer a wider range of activities and support services for young people after school, in the evenings and at the weekends, helping to build confidence and develop positive interactions in a safe space away from home.”

Cllr Bowdler also paid tribute to the late Cllr Rupert Simmons who campaigned over many years to keep the youth hub open.

The High Sheriff of East Sussex, Annie Brown, Cllr Anne Cross, the county councillor for Heathfield and Mayfield, and Heathfield & Waldron Parish Councillors also joined the celebrations.

Cllr Anne Cross, county councillor for Heathfield and Mayfield, said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in this wonderful initiative for Heathfield, I would like to pay particular tribute to all the young people who have been involved in the design of this centre from inception. I look forward to supporting the centre going forward.”