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.

The club is open from 4.30pm - 7.30pm on Thursday's at Leigh Community Centre. Ages 8 - 16 are welcome to attend. 

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 

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.

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

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 2022

• 14th July
• 8th September
• 13th October
• 10th November
• 8th December

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 Forum Question Time Event 

In March, the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Youth Forum held their first Question Time event at Leigh Community Centre. Young people under 20 were welcome to attend to put their questions to a panel about local issues and topics affecting young people. The panel was made up of the following people:

• Stephanie Golder- Incredible Edible and Youth Extinction Rebellion
• Jon Fuller- Climate change and Friends of the Earth
• Cllr Carole Mulroney- Southend City Council - Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture, Tourism and Planning
• Cllr Laurie Burton – Southend City Council - Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Education
• Mayoress Margaret Borton- Town Ambassador