Youth and Community Hub
March 2025
BICYCLE REPAIR CAFE TO KEEP WHEELS TURNING
A bicycle repair café is being set up in Claygate, offering villagers local repairs while providing a valuable learning experience for young people in the area.
The project is the result of a collaboration between Claygate Youth and Community Hub and the Claygate Environmentalists Group and will open its doors one Saturday or Sunday morning each month. The only cost to cyclists will be for any replacement parts that are needed, although voluntary donations would be appreciated.
The initiative, launching in the coming months, is looking for volunteers with knowledge of bike repair – so the skills and enthusiasm of everyone, from expert cycle mechanics to those with basic bike repair knowledge, are needed to ensure the café gets up and running. Session co-ordinators are also needed – with no bicycle knowledge required.
At the heart of the Bike Repair Café is empowerment of young people. By observing and supporting more experienced bike repairers, local youths will have the chance to acquire a practical life skill. It’s an excellent opportunity for young people to gain confidence and work as part of a team.
The café will also help to reduce waste and promote a “repair and re-use” culture, as well as support local residents in maintaining their bicycles and encouraging more people to use sustainable transport options.
Any residents able to help should contact The Hub via allie.rivero@claygatehub.org.uk or visit the “Contact Us” page at https://www.claygatehub.org.uk/
HOW THE HUB WORKS…
The Hub seeks to provide young people aged 11-19 with a safe and welcoming space for fun, friendship and activities. In 2024, The Hub ran 186 sessions and welcomed more than 270 young people through its doors in Elm Road, Claygate.
It is funded by grants and donations, and is reliant on the support of a fantastic group of local volunteers. It always needs more help to continue its great work: anyone able to help out as a volunteer, make a donation, or become a trustee (especially anyone with HR or legal experience), please email hello@claygatehub.org.uk.
Susannah has lived in Claygate for 20 years and in that time has done much for the community. Susannah was on the Flower Show committee for 12 years; she's done a lot for Claygate's Green Belt; and she is now the chair of the trustees for Claygate Youth and Community Hub, putting in 20 hours of voluntary work each week. She does a lot of the unseen, boring work and The Hub wouldn't succeed without her. Susannah has supported Katie Holmes both at work and personally to enable her to do the job that she does. Susannah is driven—a force of nature—determined and as well as being the nicest, most generous person. She really deserves this award.
October 2024
YOUNGSTERS LEARN FROM WORK EXPERIENCE
The Hub has been buzzing with energy this year, providing vibrant, free, open-access youth sessions for 11 to 19-year-olds every week. It will have hosted well over 100 youth sessions, welcoming nearly 200 different young people, with average attendance standing at 30 per session, offering opportunities to make new friends, connect with peers, or simply hang out in a fun environment. In July, it hit a record turnout of 52 young people at a Thursday session.
The summer was especially busy, with taster sessions for pupils from Claygate Primary, Cranmere, and Rowan Schools, introducing Year 6 students to The Hub. And Summer Mondays ensured that children were well fed and learned skills. The Wednesday sports sessions have also been a hit, with Platform Sports Coaches leading exciting multisport activities and games. And The Hub is thrilled to support enthusiastic young volunteers participating in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
One of The Hub’s aims is to build confidence and help young people feel valued, and a highlight this year has been seeing older members being eager for work experience opportunities at The Hub. Finn, 18, was among them. He said: “I help at The Hub throughout the day, taking on more behind-the-scenes jobs. I’ve learned how much effort goes into creating a Hub session. Thanks to them, I know that I can do hard things.” The Hub expresses huge gratitude to Finn, Max, Olly, Honey, Abby, Luke, Theo, Callum, Libby, and Alex, whose hard work made a big difference.
The Hub thrives because of generous donations of time, money, and resources given by trustees, volunteers, and the local community. Anyone looking to make a difference and join a group of fun, warm-hearted individuals, should consider helping—it always needs volunteers, mentors or those who could simply share their profession, hobby or life skills with young people. And anyone able to become a trustee—especially those with a human resources background—is invited to get in touch.
The weekly youth sessions are:
- Tuesdays 6pm-8pm (ages 11-19, drop-in—free)
- Wednesdays 6pm-7.30pm (Sports for Year 6 to Year 8—£2 per session)
- Thursdays 7pm-9pm (ages 11-19, drop-in—free)
For information, email hello@claygatehub.org.uk.
March 2024
YOUTH HUB FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Claygate Youth and Community Hub has announced its biggest fundraising campaign, aiming to raise £100,000 through community and fundraising events, as well as sporting challenges that supporters can take part in. It is also looking for additional community partnerships and volunteers to contribute to its ambitious plans.
Since its new launch in 2021, The Hub in Elm Road has grown and in the past six months of 2023 saw almost 1,200 visits from more than 180 young people aged from 11 to 19 to its evening sessions. A range of activities are provided – all paid for by voluntary donations.
The Hub offers a welcoming space for young people to socialise, learn new skills, and find support when needed. Our services include Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, as well as holiday clubs for 11-to-16-year-olds. The hall and outside space are also available for community hire, with proceeds funding the Hub's work. For information visit www.claygatehub.org.uk or contact Katie Holmes, Hub Manager and Youth Leader at katie.holmes@claygatehub.org.uk.
