The Broomgrove Estate has a brand new community centre awaiting your involvement this autumn!
The old community centre had been run for over 20 years by the Broomgrove Residents Association. When the time came to replace it, Hastings Regeneration Partnership streamed over £200,000 of Government funding into the construction of a new, purpose built centre. Hastings Borough Council, Surestart, 1066 Housing Association and other regeneration partners provided the balance. The modern building in Chiltern Drive was completed in June and the first community activities took place in July. Already the centre is used by a range of groups offering a variety of activities. In addition to pre-school nursery groups and after school clubs, the centre also hosts keep fit classes, a table tennis club and even a model helicopter flying group!
Yet Chris Cope, 1066 Housing Association's Tenant Participation Manager has a vision of much more happening at Broomgrove. "This is a wonderful opportunity for local residents to become involved in the new community centre. If you have ideas for community centre activities or are able to run a youth or other group, then this is your chance. Come along and join in".
The community centre features a main hall for exhibitions, performances and sports activities. It also has a wet play area for small children, changing rooms and a meeting room. All in all, that's 360 square metres of community space, with full access for people with disabilities. A Centre Co-ordinator is currently being recruited. In addition to managing the day-to-day running of the centre, the co-ordinator will meet the community and recruit volunteers to encourage local people to participate. It is hoped that teenage residents of Broomgrove, in particular, will become involved in the organisation of young people's clubs, discos, and activities of interest to them.
If you would like to contribute to events at Broomgrove Community Centre please telephone 01424 712696.
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Two doctors' surgeries and a pharmacy were the first occupants of the new landmark building in Warrior Square when they opened in July.
The first residents moved into the sheltered accommodation in August. Marlborough House offers extra facilities for the elderly such as assisted bathrooms, a hairdressing salon and a communal restaurant. The facility was developed and partially funded by Chichester Diocesan Housing Association who will also manage it.
In addition to the Hastings Regeneration Partnership, the project was supported with £3/4m from Hastings Borough Council.
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Hastings and St Leonards will gain an extended range of mental health services this autumn when MACA moves into its new premises in Carisbrooke Road. MACA is one of the leading national charities supporting people with mental health problems. It currently provides a day support service to Hastings & St Leonards from the Community Resource Centre in Silchester Mews, a location they share with a variety of local groups.
With funding from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget, MACA has acquired new premises in Carisbrooke House, a property that has become available due to Carisbrooke Surgery moving into the newly completed Marlborough House.
The day support service aims to assist people to reach and maintain maximum independence in the community, as well as manage their own mental health needs. This new location will allow the expansion and improvement of the existing service MACA offers. As well as providing opportunities for social contact, the service offers access to education, training and community resources and activities. The nine staff to be based there will also work with individuals to develop self-esteem and confidence, and to develop skills for daily living.
Tom Gourlay, Area Manager of MACA South, said: "MACA has really appreciated the funding and support provided by Hastings Regeneration Partnership that will enable us to provide a permanent home for our day support service as well as the opportunity to develop the Centre for the benefit of the local community".
The Day Support Service at Carisbrooke House will start in November. MACA can be contacted by telephone on 01424 434886.
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Within the Community Strategy are targets from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to reduce overall crime and the fear of crime. These are commendable aims but how will Hastings Borough Council and its partners achieve them? One route, taken by the Council's Community Safety Team, is to provide grants to community groups and charities, who in turn organise community safety initiatives in the five priority wards of Castle, Gensing, Central St Leonards, Hollington and Ore Valley.
The project also supports youth activities that keep youngsters on the straight and narrow, as a disproportionate amount of crime is committed by the 14 -17 age group. Three initiatives have been given the go-ahead so far, including a young people's basketball project for Hastings, organised by the Brighton Bears.
The Community Safety Chest project will run for three years with funding provided by the Hastings Regeneration Partnership, Hastings Borough Council and Sussex Enterprise.
If you would like more information, contact Community Safety Co-ordinator, telephone 01424 781438 or email communitysafety@hastings.gov.uk
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This page last updated: 02/10/2003