Whitehawk Estate

Whitehawk Estate, East Brighton, Sussex – This is a deprived but improving area which does suffer from a high level of unemployment, single parent families, substance abuse, domestic violence and low incomes. It is currently ranked 439 in the Governments IMD deprivation ranking.

The City Mission has served this community for many years. We currently run various projects for the benefit of young people and, indirectly, their families and the community. This includes managing the local community centre (St David’s Hall) from which a number of our clubs operate - the Big Breakthrough evening club, an IT club with support and specialist programmes for those with learning difficulties. Another of our clubs is a lunch-time club at the local primary school.

IT Club at St David's Hall Whitehawk

We recruit and train volunteers to work in the various clubs. This includes some older children, so providing them with opportunities to understand the benefits of and to develop skills for team/youth work. From time to time, we organise various short-term projects such as play schemes and special trips outside Brighton (the only such opportunity for some children) which provide exposure to new and different environments and people. We seek to develop the children’s self-confidence and self-esteem and to improve their concentration spans. Our clubs provide a constructive use of time in a safe, disciplined environment and provide access to specialist computer training which is unavailable elsewhere locally. This has reduced the scope for children to engage in nuisance activities and so get into trouble.

LifeStream

The ongoing weekly work among families and children in Whitehawk has evolved into an exciting ministry called LifeStream. The highlight of this work is residential weekends held two or three times each year, which help local Christians, and those expressing interest in the Christian faith, to grow and mature in their knowledge and understanding. The country retreats afford greater opportunities to learn from the Bible, worship, pray and share more deeply in the Christian life. These weekends provide a respite from the pressures of daily living and not only include spiritual input but lots of fun for the women and children attending.

LifeStream Family Lunch

Knoll Estate

Every Monday morning from 10.30-12.30 during term time, a coffee morning is held by local Christians at St Richards Centre. This provides an opportunity to talk, to laugh and to share concerns and problems and also to pray into situations. Folk who drop in receive a warm and friendly welcome. Some have been attending for a number of years and see it as one of the highlights of their week. This is regularly attended by City Mission workers who also visit families and individuals in the area.