Youth Provision in Leigh-on-Sea

Youth Club

Leigh-on-Sea Town Council have been working in partnership with the Southend YMCA over the last few years to provide a youth club for children in the area. The relationship was formed after previous Council Chairman, Valerie Morgan selected Southend YMCA as her Chairman’s Charity for 2018/19.

After the success of the Youth Club in it's first year, the Town Council agreed to increase the funding to allow for an additional youth club to run for ages up to 16.

The Youth Club is relaunching on Thursday 10th June 2021 at Leigh Community Centre, the times are as follows:

4.30pm - 6.30pm - 8 - 11 yr olds

7pm - 9pm - 12 - 16 yr olds

Each week children will have access to a variety of activities including board games, chess, indoor football, badminton & hockey, air hockey, table football, pool, arts and crafts, dancing, team games and projects.

The club benefits from on-site cafe Lorna & Lottie's, providing hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and more and is free to attend, but spaces are limited. To book your place please go to www.bookwhen.com/southendymca.

Leigh-on-Sea Youth Forum

For 11-18 year olds, held at Leigh Community Centre on the second Thursday of the month from 5pm - 6pm. Free refreshments included.

Do you live in Leigh-on-sea and the immediate surrounding areas? Do you want your voice heard about local issues and have the power to affect change?Do you want to help organise fun events for the community? Then come along and be part of the LEIGH-ON-SEA TOWN COUNCIL YOUTH FORUM.

To find out more about this please forward your name and contact details to Councillor Anita Forde, Email: cllrforde@leighonseatowncouncil.gov.uk, Mobile: 07786 023941

Youth Forum Dates 2021

9th September 2021
14th October 2021
11th November 2021
9th December 2021

What can this Youth Forum do?

1. Give young people a voice and a say in their local area:

Listen to what young people want and take action by speaking with the relevant services to make it happen
Consult with young people about local transport services and lobby for improvements as necessary
To involve young people in local consultations such as possible change to facilities in the open spaces of Leigh-on-sea
To create links with the adult councillors of Leigh Town Council so we work together to get things done

2. To make a difference in our community:

Improve young people’s employment opportunities by promoting volunteering
Encourage young people to get more involved in activities in the community
To create local volunteering opportunities for young people, particularly working with and befriending, elderly and disabled people
To set up and run campaigns for better services including improved transport, youth provision etc

3. Challenge negative stereotypes of young people and raise the positive profile of young people:

Promote positive activities and organise an annual Youth Event i.e. Market
To work alongside other young people’s groups and share experiences
Support initiatives to make Leigh Town a safe area for young people

Youth Market

Youth Market Aims & Objectives:

To showcase the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of local people aged 16 – 25
To provide a free platform for young people to sell their own items
To inspire young people to launch their own business
To promote small businesses in the area
To offer a performance platform for young musicians

In 2018 Leigh-On-Sea Town Council launched it's first Youth Market, as a way to promote talented young people in the area, and to encourage their entrepeneurial spirit. The second market held in 2019 built on it's successes and was made bigger and better by moving to Strand Wharf. The event has made a positive impact by highlighting our local youth, broadcasting their talents and encouraging the youth of Leigh to be more involved in our community. We have received excellent feedback from members of the public, who were thrilled to see young peple being encouraged to be creative and start their own businesses.

So far we have had a variety of different businesses invloved such as young, local artists, photographers, bakers, makers and authors. Each year we have also seen a host of talented young musiciains perform for the event.

Poster made by Maggie Callaghan