This March, we’re celebrating ten years of our HOUSE project in Edenbridge.
HOUSE is an open access youth drop-in centre for young people aged 11-19, or up to 24 with additional needs.
The clubs are staffed by youth workers directly employed by West Kent, who are on hand to provide advice, support, and guidance around a range of fun and engaging activities for young people to take part in. 
The project aims to provide low-cost recreational and educational activities for young people, increasing awareness of health and well-being, substance misuse, and anti-social behaviour, while promoting acceptable behaviour and responsibility. Young people are fully involved in saying what they would like in their local area through the connected youth forum, which meets regularly with the town council.
The sessions are an open drop-in club, originally funded by the NHS and now funded by Edenbridge Town Council, Sevenoaks District Council, The Great Stone Bridge Trust and West Kent.
Olivia, a former attendee said: “HOUSE has had a massive impact on my life. I think if I hadn’t come to HOUSE I wouldn’t be in the job I am now. All the staff had open arms and the young people were really friendly and taught me how to open up. I was a really quiet, shy 12-year-old, and coming to HOUSE taught me a level of confidence that I never thought I could be - speaking in front of a crowd of people, speaking in meetings, including council meetings, to just speaking to a little group in general. HOUSE has impacted my life in a huge way and I just owe it a massive thank you for what they have done for me, and for the community.”
We’d like to thank all our funders and partners for supporting the project and its young people. If you’re interested in funding the project, please contact us.
To find out more about HOUSE, please visit our website or email youthservices@wkha.org.uk