Dateline: A Snapshot of our History

1983

Hangleton Community Project (later renamed Hangleton & Knoll Project) started with the support of PACT (People and Churches Together). One of the original aims was the development of a community association for Hangleton.

1984

First Community Development worked employed by the Project

1985

The Hangleton Community Association (HCA) was assisted by the Hangleton Community Project to achieve charitable status. The Project undertook a feasibility study for the development of a community centre for Hangleton. ‘Night of 100 Drums’ event took place which attracted 8,000 people to Hangleton Park.

1986

The feasibility study for a community centre in Hangleton was completed. ‘Be There’ community event took place, which attracted 12,000 people to Hangleton Park

1987

The Hangleton Community Project carried out a social audit in the Knoll. Findings showed a considerable need for community building space. Work was undertaken to seek funding to develop the St. Richards church buildings for this purpose

1988

Hangleton based Community Development Workers were employed; Hangleton Community centre opened.

1989

Knoll based community development workers were employed; local newsletter was launched.

1990

Hangleton Community Project became the Hangleton & Knoll Project. Knoll Community Association was launched and one of the aims of this group was to promote the development of a community centre for the Knoll. Public consultation took place for St. Richards.

1991

Employed the first youth workers after local needs were not being met by any other provision. The detached youth work was funded for three years by Comic Relief.

1992

Awarded a certificate from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of the completion of a project of long term benefit to the nation in The Royal Anniversary Trust Challenge

1993

Portslade Community Project was launched with the support of the Hangleton and Knoll Project.

1994

Bid for SRB2 (Single Regeneration Budget); Winner of the Times / Touche Ross 'Community Enterprise Award' for Community Services

1995

Project awarded funding from SRB2 and was the first community based project to receive this funding; number of staff increased; internal infrastructure altered. Public consultation with the community to write the Greening Plan; Grassroots Festival began.

1996

“Opportunities” Employment and Advice Centre opened at the Grenadier shopping parade.

1997

Hangleton Community Centre Extension opened. Tree planting and traffic calming projects start.

1998

St. Richards Church & Community Centre extension opened; tree planting, traffic calming and park improvements continued. Hangleton Park improvements took place.

1999

“Opportunities” expanded to Whitehawk and Kemptown areas of Brighton; Improvements made to Knoll Recreation ground; Improvements to Grenadier shopping area; South Portslade office opened; Managed SRB5 scheme; Audio Active Youth Music Project started at Station Road.

2000

IT learning access centre set up as one of five pilot projects in the country and equipped with four computers. Over time this initiative evolved into our IT delivery department known as HaKIT; Circus Project Community group set up with support from the Project.

2001

Staff handbook was produced; SRB5 community consultation was completed; Community Café in Hangleton opened;

2002

HaKIT re-opened at St. Richards Church and Community Centre; “Party in our Park” festival in Hangleton Park; “Opportunities” closed down due to lack of funding; Project offices moved; facilities for pregnancy testing set up; Sexual health leaflet produced with young women; trips with young people increased; Audio Active moved to new premises; video projects developed with young people; Audio Active performing at venues in City; Community Action became a constituted group; Traders Association began; “Portslade on the Map” Conference and Consultation.

2003

Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) provided resources to develop the young people’s resource room in Hangleton, to decorate the Pavilion Café, build an office at St. Helen’s and further developments to the IT training rooms.

2004

Hove Polyclinic Young People’s Sexual Health Drop-in was developed with young people and the Primary Care Trust.

2005

“Young people and alcohol” research project with Brighton University; Young people develop a self-harm information and risk reduction leaflet for young people, Community Safety Day held in Hangleton Park; Anti-bullying DVD project with young people; Start working in partnership with Hove Park School; Young people’s football project starts in partnership with B&H Albion FC.

2006

Hangleton Park improvements door-knocking consultation; Received 3yr Children in Need funding for a youth participation worker; Received 3yr Big Lottery funding for a Senior Youth Worker with a health remit; Young people’s alcohol peer education project and DVD production; New IT room at Hangleton Community Centre opened by the mayor; Door knocking consultation takes place with residents aged 50+; Knoll Pavilion Café community group started.

2007

Hangleton Park improvements including new benches and picnic tables; Youth shelter installed in Knoll Rec; developing a programme of activities for residents aged 50+ based upon consultation findings; 50+ Steering group forms; H&K Employment & Learning pilot; young people’s health initiatives; Portslade Community Project taken over by the Trust for Developing Communities; Neighbourhood Action Plan produced; young people’s homework club set up; Hangleton Park Arts Day; Hove Park School excluded unit established at Hangleton Community Centre; CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) certificate ceremony for HaKIT learners; Hangleton Fun for Families community group started; Friends of Knoll Park group formed.

2008

Rapid English Pilot project; Recruited a Senior Community Development worker; BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) participatory research project; Research for Employment & Learning Pilot project; Pavilion Patio built; Knoll park consultation; HaKIT is one of 5 winners of best UK Online Centre; Celebrate 25th year!