Phoenix Youth Centre

The Phoenix provides a new, fully inclusive, eco-friendly youth centre. With a range of specialist, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, creative and professionally qualified staff, a quality curriculum and an extensive range of partners. The Phoenix Centre is be a combination of youth centre, performance space, Connexions information, advice and guidance centre, young people’s healthy living centre, language and cultural centre and business / social enterprise model. It is a meeting place where young people can relax, feel safe and supported, enjoy new experiences and have fun. Young people are able to participate in a range of activities and services including: Youth Arts activities – drama, band practice, singing, art, sculpture, dance, music making and recording, DJ-ing, MC-ing; Sporting skills, competitions, tournaments – football, basketball, table tennis, trampolining; Open evenings for parents and local community; Provision of information, advice and guidance, including careers education, housing etc.; Healthy eating/healthy lifestyle workshops; Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme; Volunteering activities & plus lots more!

The Youth Service delivers these activities within a curriculum, which ensures that activities are planned, and follow a consistent model based on three cornerstones – equal opportunities, participation and health promotion. The Curriculum’s focus on health promotion will ensure a range of activities are delivered to encourage young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. For example, a range of healthy eating projects, a link to the Arena Sports Centre and their staff and facilities, such as the multi-use games areas will promote active pastimes. Key to the Centre’s work on health issues with young people will be the successful partnership working with health organisations in the county.

The average number of users of the Phoenix Centre per evening is expected to be at around 40. Special events that run on an occasional basis would bring this number up. The centre is unlikely to cause major additional traffic during peak school time hours as most of the activities will be delivered in the twilight and evening times. Predominantly most of the young people will be within walking distance, and a separate footpath / cycle path is going to be provided for access to the centre.

To encourage cycling to the centre, there will be 40 bike spaces (lockable storage for 30). Bike maintenance projects will also encourage young people to bring their bikes to the Centre and enable them to learn how to keep them roadworthy and safe.

The Phoenix Centre runs a youth service mobile provision for the young people living further away, to enable them to access the building. For disabled users there is a drop off point and disabled parking bays close to the Centre. Apart from disabled users normal car usage will be limited to a small amount of staff, volunteers and a few parents (e.g. at pick up times).

Young people are encouraged to monitor the carbon footprint of the new Centre and develop strategies for helping to deliver environmentally-friendly projects and programmes.

As well as its own programmes the centre is also able to support and promote sustainable transport projects led by others on the campus such as TRS.

The centre will provide a range of facilities and social areas, which will be managed by West Sussex County Council Youth Service.

The ground floor comprises of a meeting space and a cafe with internet access. This is connected to the multi-use hall providing space for badminton, arts, dance and drama activities.

Upstairs there are meeting and counselling rooms, a sophisticated sensory room, a music and recording studio and a selection of other facilities.

Local children and young people have contributed to the colour scheme and selection of internal facilities and furniture.

They have also designed the Phoenix Centre Logo.