Free sport sessions for young people comes to Hastings

Active Hastings are excited to announce they have been awarded £62,261 of funding from The National Lottery and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through the Million Hours programme. Thanks to this investment, Active Hastings will deliver more than 270 hours of free youth activities for 12 to 17 year olds between March and November 2026. 

Cath Donovan, Physical Activity and Health Strategic Lead at Active Hastings said: “Funding from the Million Hours Fund has enabled us to design an extensive programme of youth sessions for young people. Activities will include gym and circuit training, girls’ football, street sports, and the return of our highly popular Urban Football session. Further details and additional session announcements will be shared soon, keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for details. The programme will continue to evolve over the coming months. The activities on offer will be developed in response to feedback from young people themselves, ensuring sessions are shaped around what they want to do and how they want to take part. This flexible approach means we can tailor the programme so it remains relevant, engaging and genuinely youth-led.”

Councillor Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council and lead councillor for sport and leisure, said: “This funding is a real investment in our young people, not only will it help improve physical and mental wellbeing, but it also provides them with safe spaces, with trusted adults where they can enjoy positive experiences that support their wellbeing and development. We are extremely grateful to the Government and The National Lottery Community Fund for their support in making this possible.” 

For more information follow Active Hastings on social media or visit their website.

The Million Hours Fund is a £19 million joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to deliver over a million additional hours of youth work in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour. It gives young people more places to go and positive things to do.

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, and brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active. There are a range of exercise classes to suit everyone, visit the Active Hastings website for the list of activities happening near you.

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Notes to editor: 

Active Hastings works closely with local providers of physical activity to give you easy, fun ways to get your everyday dose of physical activity. It only takes 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 a day for children to get fitter, healthier and happier. You can even break it down into 10 minute slots! 

Active Hastings coordinates the local Community Physical Activity Network, which brings together schools, sport clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport, health organisations, the voluntary sector and the private sector to work together, unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system. 

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, and brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active. 

Find out more at www.activehastings.org.uk or follow them on Facebook ‘Active Hastings’.  

For more information contact Emma Bailey, Social Marketing and Communications Officer, Active Hastings, Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451145 or email: emma.bailey@hastings.gov.uk.