ABOUT US
The Youth Commons is a Youth Investment Funded project. We work with those aged 11-18 responding to the wants and needs of young people in and around Hastings. We also support 11-18 year olds to take a leading role in developing the programme itself. Hastings Commons mission is to take on derelict and difficult buildings in the White Rock area and we are working on involving young people in every step of the building process. They have and will continue to play a contributory role in the design process of Eagle House and the roof top of The Observer Building.
On this page you can find out more about what Hastings Commons offers for young people, details about upcoming events and other opportunities such as work placements.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
We offer a term time programme of evening sessions at Eagle House (27 - 29 Cambridge Road). During these sessions there is free food, activities and time to hang out with other young people. Our goals for the evening youth sessions is to create a 3rd place for young people away from school and home where they can be their authentic selves with the support of trained, experienced youth workers.
Download the term time programme here
Alongside the termtime weekly sessions we also run a series of youth led events in The Observer Building. These events are all about giving young people ownership of a space and platforming young creatives in paid opportunities. We also host industry placements college students and run 6 monthly paid training positions for NEET people aged 17/18.
GET INVOLVED IN TERM TIME ACTIVITIES (starting in October, date tbc!)
ALL ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE IN EAGLE HOUSE (27-29 Cambridge Rd, Hastings TN34 1DJ)
Tuesday 4pm-7pm
The Youth Commons evening session (age 11-13, years 7 & 8): A fun, supportive and youth led session which includes hot food, activities/workshops and time to hang out.
Wednesday 4pm-7pm
The Youth Commons evening session (age 13-16, years 9, 10 & 11): A fun, supportive and youth led session which includes hot food, activities/workshops and time to hang out.
Thursday 4pm-7pm
The Youth Commons evening session (age 16-18): A fun, supportive and youth led session which includes hot food, activities/workshops and time to hang out.
Friday 5pm - 7pm
Dungeons and Dragons (age 14-18): Youth led Dungeons and Dragons group. All materials provided, no experience necessary.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
OB SOUNDS: Live music event for those aged 14 - 17 with local up and coming young DJ's.
Stay tuned for the next one, coming very soon!
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME SO FAR
OB SOUNDS - Drum n bass, jungle and garage music night for 14 - 17 year olds with Shoulder 2 Shoulder.
OB SOUNDS started after outreach with young people showed there was a desire for more drum and bass events available for the 14-17 age group. In June, we hosted two college students on industry placements who sourced local DJ group, Shoulder 2 Shoulder.
The event sold out, and 210 young people had the chance to dance to music in a safe space. One young person said, ‘I had so much fun, met lots of new people that I instantly got along with and I am very excited for the next event. I can see a bit of a community forming from this!'
The next OB SOUNDS event is being planned!
Photo taken by Ethne: https://ethnelily.myportfolio.com/
Make Good Trouble Photography Workshop
Brighton-based Make Good Trouble are a social impact company driving positive change for young people and families. In July, they held a 2 day photography workshop for young people with artist Lindsey Smith, looking at how we can communicate our identity through photography. The young people had a great time exploring the Observer Building and even visiting the roof!