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Our work with young people

Our Youth Work team supports young people across the areas where we work. This often starts with us going out and about on our estates to talk to young people and listening to what they need.

We support young people to raise their own issues and find their own solutions by developing local youth forums, which go on to organise their own local activities or work with us to develop projects. In the past our youth forums have done everything from winning funding for local sports facilities to setting up a local youth club.

We are also funded and commissioned to run various special youth projects, including HOUSE in the Eden Centre.

We also lead the Edenbridge Youth Consortium,  group of youth work providers in Edenbridge offering a wide range of different clubs and workshops and deliver alcohol reduction work around the Sevenoaks district.

For more information please contact our youth work team at youthservices@wkha.org.uk.

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We're delighted to have been chosen as a partner for the Money Advice Service’s ‘What Works’ programme. Read about it here. 

  • 8 -12s Project

    We run weekly clubs for children aged 8-12 in four areas across the district. The project is funded by Children in Need, local town and parish councils and Kent County Council.

    The aims of the project are to:​

    • Provide low cost recreational and educational activities for children aged between 8 and 12 years in their own community.
    • Promote acceptable behaviour and responsibility by encouraging children to devise and adhere to their own 'Charter of Rights'.
    • Increase children’s self confidence, skills and interests by introducing them to a wide range of activities in a safe and caring environment.

    The project provides regular, low cost, locally based activities in a safe environment with an emphasis on behaviour and positive communication and has been very successful in supporting the children who attend.

    How are the clubs staffed?
    The clubs are staffed by project workers directly employed by West Kent. We also encourage the involvement of volunteers. All staff and volunteers have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check in place and references are taken prior to staff or volunteers working on the project. We work on a minimum adult to child ratio of 1:10. All activities are thoroughly risk assessed.

    Who can join?

    Children who may be experiencing a variety of difficulties at home or who may be in need of additional support outside of the school or home environment. Children are referred to the project by:

    • Teachers
    • Parents
    • Family support centres
    • Social services
    • Other professionals

    You can refer yourself to us however we may need further information to accept you. Please contact us for more information.

    Where and when are the sessions held?

    • New Ash Green: North Square, Longfield, DA3 8JT. Thursday night 6pm to 8pm
    • Sevenoaks: The Hope Church, Mill Lane, TN14 5AX. Tuesday night 5.30pm to 7.30pm
    • Swanley: The Junction, St Marys Road, BR8 7BU. Friday night 4.30pm to 6.30pm and Tuesday Nurture Group 3.30pm to 5pm
    • West Kingsdown: West Kingsdown Primary School, Fawkham Road, TN15 6JP. Wednesday night 5.30pm to 7.30pm
    • Edenbridge: Eden Centre, Four Elms Road, TN8 6BY. 8-12s session and nurture group Thursday 3.30pm to 5.30pm
    • Dunton Green: Dunton Green Pavillion, London Road. Monday 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

    The project is also funded by Children in Need, local town and parish councils and Kent County Council.

  • 11-19s and Youth Forums

    The 11-19s sessions are an open drop-in club funded by Town and Parish Councils, West Kent and Moat Housing Associations and anonymous donations.

    The aims of the project are to:​

    • Provide low cost recreational and educational activities for young people aged 11-19
    • Promote acceptable behaviour and responsibility 
    • Give young people a chance to say what they would like in their local area
    • Increase young people’s awareness of health and well-being, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour
    • Provide advice on training and employment.

    How are the clubs staffed?
    The clubs are staffed by project workers directly employed by West Kent. We also encourage the involvement of volunteers. All staff and volunteers have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check in place and references are taken prior to staff or volunteers working on the project. We work on a minimum adult to young person ratio of 1:10. All activities are thoroughly risk assessed.

    Who can join?

    You can refer yourself to us however we may need further information to accept you. Please contact us for more information. Our Youth Forums are by invitation only to young people who attend the sessions. 

    Where and when are the sessions held?

    • New Ash Green: North Square, Longfield, DA3 8JT. Wednesday night 6pm-8pm
    • West Kingsdown: WKD The Bus, London Road, TN15 6BZ. Thursday night 6pm-8pm
    • HOUSE Edenbridge: The Eden Centre, Four Elms Road, TN8 6BY. Tuesday and Wednesday night 6-9pm and Friday 6.30-9.30pm.

    For more information please email youthservices@wkha.org.uk

  • Festivals and events

    Our youth team attend a variety of local festivals and events throughout the year. The team work with other local organisations such as Sevenoaks District Council to attend summer programmes, providing our residents with free activities for their children during school holidays.

    They carry out a range of free activities such as glitter faces, large games such as Jenga and Connect 4, along with competitions and freebies.  

    All our youth events are advertised on our website and social media pages. Please email us at youthservices@wkha.org.uk

  • School work

    We regularly visit primary and secondary schools in the Sevenoaks District. The project is funded by Kent County Council.

    The project runs for 6 weeks in each school. The aims of the project are to:​

    • Provide advice on health, well-being and general living
    • Attend PSHE days
    • Provide advice on training and employment

    How are the clubs staffed?
    The clubs are staffed by project workers directly employed by West Kent. We also encourage the involvement of volunteers. All staff and volunteers have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check in place and references are taken prior to staff or volunteers working on the project. We work on a minimum adult to young person ratio of 1:10. All activities are thoroughly risk assessed. 

    For more information please email youthservices@wkha.org.uk

  • Residential trips and days out

    The project organises special outings which reflect the interests of the children, for example rock climbing, visits to the theatre or museums and short residential stays. These incur an additional cost, but where possible, the project will subsidise those children whose families cannot afford to pay the full cost.

    If you would like to become involved please contact youthservices@wkha.org.uk