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, in close partnership with Xtrax Young People's Centre. 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 the Observer Building (53 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.

Alongside the termtime weekly sessions we also run a series of youth led events in The Observer Building called OB SOUNDS which are all about giving young people ownership of a space and platforming young creatives in paid opportunities. During half terms, we organise free trips and excursions for 11-18 year olds. We also host work experience and industry placements for school and college students.

Pictured: 'Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH)' workshop with live illustrator Esther Springett

Tuesday 4pm-7pm

The Youth Commons evening session (age 11-16): A fun, supportive and youth led session which includes hot food, activities/workshops and time to hang out.

Wednesday 5.30pm-7.30pm

Dungeons and Dragons (age 14-18): Youth led Dungeons and Dragons group. All materials provided, no experience necessary.

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

Xtrax session (age 16-24): Pool, table tennis, karaoke.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME SO FAR

Hastings Youth Commons start choosing paint colours for Eagle House. Refurbishment has started on the building and is due to be finished April 2025, with much involvement in the design from the Youth Commons.

Young people at Hastings Youth Commons had a healthy eating workshop where they learned how to make fajitas and overnight oats.

Hastings Youth Commons took a group of young people to the fire station where they got to explore a fire truck, meet the fire team and the test out the water hose!

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 and we held the first OB SOUNDS in August 2023.

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!'

Photo taken by Ethne: https://ethnelily.myportfolio.com/

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!