Raising the profile of Horsham district’s new youth workers

The first cluster is Billingshurst and Pulborough, where it has been decided that both Billingshurst Parish Council and Pulborough Parish Council will work together in partnership for the benefit of their young people.

The Parish Councils have agreed to fund the employment of a community youth worker for 25 hours a week. Horsham Matters has been appointed by the Parish Councils to employ the youth worker on their behalf.

These two Parish Councils hope that the new proposals in their area will enable young people to become fulfilled, contented and have the confidence to face future situations, with the knowledge that there are always people to help with information to overcome life’s obstacles.

Positive comments regarding the Parish Councils’ proposals for the new community youth work provision were received when the plans were outlined in local parish bulletins and magazines.

Young people in this cluster were asked what they thought of the new plans and they said it was good that young people were being given somewhere to go and something to do.

They added that the new youth workers would need to engage with young people and the community.

Liz Burt, Youth Projects Manager at Horsham Matters, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this new community youth work initiative.

“It’s exciting to see the commitment to young people by parish & neighbourhood councils.

“We are really looking forward to having the new youth workers in post and seeing more activities and support for young people in place.”

The other Neighbourhood and Parish Clusters in the Horsham District are: Broadbridge Heath, Slinfold & Warnham, Horsham Area, Steyning, Ashurst, Bramber & Upper Beeding and Storrington & Sullington.

Each cluster is funding the employment of full-time and substantial part-time community youth workers to support local young people.

The clusters have a shared vision ‘to enable and empower local young people to make informed, positive lifestyle choices, which promote active, healthy, holistic, safe and social lives’.

The new Community Youth Work provision has been realised thanks to significant partnership working, supported by Horsham District Council.

Sue Rogers, Horsham District Council’s cabinet member for a safer and healthier district, said: “It is great to see that these two parish councils are working together to provide such valuable and worthwhile youth work for the District’s young people.”

West Sussex County Council’s Youth Support Development Service is continuing to offer intensive and target support to young people with a range of complex needs.　

For more information about this new community youth work, please call Clare Ebelewicz, senior youth and older persons officer at Horsham District Council, who is supporting the clusters to develop their own community youth work, on 01403 215137 or email [email protected]