The South Hill Centre is a community charity (1102820) which works with other local organisations to provide a range of services for local people within Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It seeks to provide services which join all local people together, encouraging integration, developing potential, enhancing safety and providing help and support to those most in need.
The Centre is committed to adding value and vitality to the community it serves. Working with others it runs activities such as youth groups; seniors lunch club; employment support; money management and budgeting support (Christians Against Poverty money courses); ex-offender support; IT training; Life skills training; English for Speakers of Other Languages courses; Carers and toddler groups; a keep fit group; pre and post natal support classes and support groups; targeted support for those suffering from post natal depression and domestic violence; a community ‘donation’ cafe; free craft sessions and also has its own Pre‐school provision. The Centre runs as a Foodbank distribution centre and also organises other community-wide events as dictated by the needs of the local area. In addition it acts as a venue for meetings of charities, council, NHS and other local organisations.
As well as several key members of staff, the Centre is supported by 70‐100 volunteers and has close links with South Hill Church which provides both financial and personnel support to projects that it runs.
The Charity’s main focus is to work with families across Hemel Hempstead. It currently impacts and engages with several hundred families in the local area and provides activities and services for all ages, nationalities and hosts people from all walks of life. It runs youth activities for children from 0‐18; provides services for vulnerable adults (mental, physical and learning disabilities) and hosts a successful lunch club, now running for over 20 years, which regularly feeds 40‐60 Senior Citizens.
South Hill Centre has a campus which is located approximately 100 yards from the town centre of Hemel Hempstead and draws people in from many residential areas of the town and surrounding communities, including some of the most deprived wards. The Centre is open to all and offers its services to anyone in the Hemel Hempstead and wider Dacorum area. On average between 600 and 1200 local individuals pass through its doors each week.
As well as its own self‐run community activities the Centre hosts events like the Secondary school careers fair, job fairs, recruitment events, Security and Safety Forums and AGMs for other local organisations and charities. It also holds community concerts and awards ceremonies in order to support local success, promote positive achievements and regularly engage local people.
The charity’s aims are:
• To be a centre for social development and well-being.
• Improve social care, particularly for the less advantaged
• Improve the quality of life and develop future generations of people in our community.
• Help promote an active and socially integrated community.
• Develop skills and employability within the local community.
• Provide facilities and activities to support local agencies, businesses and charities.
• Be a positive link between the Church and the local community.
Specific Provision you may be interested in:
Employment Support
Free access to PCs, stationery, printing, etc; Job search assistance; Mentoring and assistance to complete job applications; Training courses and signposting; Individual CV and specimen application letter creation; Peer review, encouragement and support; Business start up support; Confidence and Personal Development; Support in overcoming barriers to learning and/or employment; Links to other voluntary organisations and voluntary work opportunities; Free refreshments and a warm welcome.
The ‘Hemel Hempstead Enterprise and Work Club’ meets on every Friday from 10pm-1.30pm. Additional Employment Support sessions are also run from the Centre on Tuesday mornings between 10am-12pm.
Christians Against Poverty Money Management Courses
The South Hill Centre runs a number of these courses throughout the year. They are run as soon as there is enough interest for them. The course covers the basics of money management and budgeting. Specific 1-1 support can also be offered during and post the course. The course is delivered by South Hill Church on behalf of Christians Against Poverty (CAP). The course is usually run free of charge.