More than 90 children joined Active Hastings for their Friday Night Project

The Active Hastings' Friday Night Project has been a huge success, with more than 90 young people (aged 12 to 16) attending the sessions throughout the 12-week programme, which finished on 31 March.

Working alongside Hastings Police, and with thanks to funding from the Youth Justice Sports Fund, the Friday Night Project encouraged and supported those who attended to take part in team games, such as football, dodgeball and basketball, participants also had access to the gym and Street Dance classes. Through the provision of taxis (to and from the session), the project enabled young people from the town's most deprived areas, many of whom had never been to the leisure centre before, to access the sessions.

Inspector Aidan Cornwall said "This was a great project established by Active Hastings and supported by police officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team. It gave young people a safe place to be every Friday evening and allowed them to take part in constructive sporting activities. It's important that young people have the opportunity to engage with police officers and this project enabled us to listen to their concerns and provide crime prevention advice whilst enjoying the team sporting activities. We are looking forward to working with Active Hastings on more projects going forward."

Councillor Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council, said: "The Friday Night Project, which took place at Summerfields Leisure Centre, has been a great initiative that encouraged local teenagers to embrace positive opportunities by engaging in physical activity and team games. We are very thankful to the Youth Justice Sports Fund for making these sessions possible for young people in Hastings."

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 
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, but 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 (She/Her), Social Marketing and Communications Officer, Active Hastings, Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451145 or email: emma.bailey@hastings.gov.uk