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Well hello,
Spring has arrived, and dare I say, the warmer weather has finally gotten the memo (well kind of). Let's hope April brings us more sunshine, blooms, and good vibes! It's the perfect time shake of the winter, embrace new beginnings and enjoys the longer, brighter days ahead.
Hale Community and Youth Centre are proud to be the Mayor of Farnham's chosen Charity Of The Year, 2025-26
If you have skills to share, whether you’re a whizz with databases or simply keen to lend a hand, there are plenty of ways to get involved, drop us an email - office@halecommunitycentre.org.uk.
We’d be thrilled to hear from you! |
The newsletter can also we downloaded straight from the website. |
HIGH SHERIFF AWARDS CEREMONY 2026. |
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We had the privilege of attending the High Sherriff awards and the centre along side other individuals and organisations received awards of recognition for the work we do in the community. From the High Sheriff:
One of the privileges of being High Sheriff is that during your shrieval year you are able to witness the amazing contributions made by so many people and organisations across the County for the benefit of our local community; whether through public service, charitable work or volunteering. Suzanne and I have met countless people selflessly giving their time, experience and expertise for the benefit of others. Another privilege of being High Sheriff is that I can give an award to some of these individuals and organisations as a public recognition of their great and valuable service to our community and hold a ceremony so that they can be acclaimed.
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Local children joined us for our special Mother's Day Workshop in March, Children came and created a beautiful handmade surprise for someone special. They had a choice of lovely things to make and decorate, there was book marks, key rings, beautiful picture frames and even plants. |
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Puppetry fun at Girls Club |
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This March Surrey Craft Legacies Joined our Girls Club at the Hale Community and Youth Centre with a lively marionette workshop led by Alicia Britt. They explored the craft behind traditional string puppets, learning how simple joints and threads allow figures to move. Guided step by step, participants built their own marionettes and experimented with bringing their characters to life.
The session provided a hands-on introduction to a historic craft, creating a welcoming space for participants to work together. Workshops like this help keep heritage skills visible and shared across generations, showing how traditional techniques can still inspire creativity today.
Surrey Craft Legacies celebrates endangered and traditional craft skills through workshops, films and exhibitions across Surrey.
Led by New Ashgate Gallery. Funded by the Community Foundation for Surrey, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We work with Hale Community Centre, Farnham Assist, Farnham Library and DAiSY.
Check out the girls amazing work in this short video (Facebook link) |
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Surrey Craft Legacies also joined us to start of half term for a kids work shop. Here is some local young people showing off their amazing puppets. |
The Girls Club also had a visit from Feroza at Surrey Wildlife Trust. The girls had a talk on the work they do and the importance of looking after our wildlife and then got to build and decorate bird boxes. We has some very fancy abodes - The Nestled Nook, The Birdsong Bungalow and the Flock Together Inn. The birds of Upper Hale Will be spoilt for choice. |
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Our youth provision is expanding to welcome Year 6 boys and girls to our single gender youth club sessions.
• Year 6 boys - Tuesdays
• Year 6 girls - Wednesdays
Sessions are age appropriate and offer a safe, friendly, and supportive space where young people can make friends, build confidence, and enjoy fun activities in a relaxed environment.
For more information or to sign up please email:
Youth@halecommunitycentre.org.uk |
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Our youth provision is expanding to welcome Year 6 boys and girls to our single gender youth club sessions.
• Year 6 boys - Tuesdays
• Year 6 girls - Wednesdays
Sessions are age appropriate and offer a safe, friendly, and supportive space where young people can make friends, build confidence, and enjoy fun activities in a relaxed environment.
For more information or to sign up please email:
Youth@halecommunitycentre.org.uk |
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Our Youth team are now popping in weekly to Heath End school for a lunch time drop in session to give our young people a safe and friendly place to unwind and someone to chat to.
If your young people attend Heath End School and would like more information please contact student reception. |
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Do you know that we rely on our rental income to support the running of the centres, as we receive NO statutory funding. So if you need a space for anything, do get in touch and see if we can help. We have competitive rates for our warm and welcoming spaces.
We have the main hall that can come with or without the lounge area, a smaller training room and the consulting room suitable for 1-2-1s, therapies and beauty and medical appointments, all available to hire, and all have access to our lovely kitchen facilities. |
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RHS - How to grow veg when you’re short on space. |
Grow lots of great food for friends and family, even in the tiniest garden.
Vegetable growing has become really popular in recent years – with Instagram-friendly allotments and gardens showing people growing plants that not only look good but make us feel great too. Celery juice and Sichuan Peppers plants are just a couple of recent home-grown taste trends.
Small gardens, especially in urban areas where an outdoor space is perhaps just a balcony, mean it's worth trying to use every inch of space to create the perfect ‘outdoor room’ for edibles to thrive. Here are five ideas on fitting veg into the tiniest places, taken from previous years at the inspirational ‘Glastonbury of gardening', the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
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A year in the life of a bumblebee colony |
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Early spring - Solitary queen bees emerge from hibernation. These are the large bumblebees seen during early February and March.
Queen bees look for a likely nest site such as an old mouse nest or grassy tussock for ground nesting species, familiarising herself with the area.
In the nest the queen lays her eggs. The first workers emerge, more eggs are laid and hatch. Some eggs develop into new queen bumblebees.
The first unfertilised eggs are laid and these develop into male bumblebees.
New queens and males leave the nest. Males patrol a chosen 'patch', leaving scent marks and looking for queens to mate with.
Autumn - Original queen bee, workers and males die. New queens, with their fertilised eggs go into hibernation.
Up to 25 species of bumblebees live in the UK. But be aware that there are several bee mimics in the UK, including bee flies, Cuckoo bees and mimic hoverflies. So check out who's coming to visit your garden this spring!
Information taken from: Surrey Wildlife Trust Wildlife gardening information pack |
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There are also regular courses available through TalkPlus
Knowing Me Knowing You Course:
A six-week virtual course that explores thoughts and feelings around anxiety, low mood, and wellbeing in a safe environment, allowing space to have special time with your baby. This course is for new mothers with babies under the age of 12 months, Living with a postcode within Hart and Rushmoor, struggling with mild to moderate levels of low mood/anxiety. The next course starts 13th April 2026.
Baby and Me Course: (Farnham Patients only) Patients outside of Farnham can refer and ask for information about our Knowing Me Knowing you Course.
It is an 8-week course that explores thoughts and feelings around anxiety, low mood and wellbeing and feeling alone in a safe environment, allowing space to have special time with your baby.
Currently running in February, next course starts: TBC
CBT Strategies for Menopause Webinar: Gain valuable insights into navigating the peri-menopause and menopause journey, Learn how CBT can empower you and manage symptoms, reduce stress and foster a positive mindset during this time of change.
This is being run on Tuesday 12th May 6pm - 7:30pm online.
For further information about all the courses we run and how to self-refer, please visit: www.talkplus.org.uk
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Hale Community and Youth Centre values your connection with us, whether you are a regular newsletter reader or someone who enjoys our activities.
Can you give us feedback?
Can you make a small donation as a one off or monthly?
Can you volunteer?
We understand that not everyone will be able to participate, and that's perfectly fine. If you do NOT want to hear further from us on how you can make a difference please email us at fundraising@halecommunitycentre.org.uk.
THANK YOU. |
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Interested in volunteering?
We are currently looking for new volunteers for a variety of roles to support our new projects. Interested? Please contact Sue |
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At Hale Community Centre we have many great services on offer for free, one of these is Citizens Advice. Most Wednesdays you can find Sharon at our Community Pop-in 11:00-1:30 who is on hand to advise you on all sorts of different concerns.
A major concern at present is the rise in the cost of heating our homes and paying for other utilities, this is where advisers like Sharon are a real gem. You can pop in to speak to Sharon about where you may be able to get extra help. If you are struggling with any kind of financial issues you can also speak to a member of the Community Centre team as we can signpost you to local funding and support that may be available.
Citizens Advice - They give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem. They are here to help everyone who needs it with practical advice you can really trust. They are a national charity and network of local charities that offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. |
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If you would like to donate! You can support us by donating via our JUST GIVING page: |
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Did you know that Hale Community Centre is a Not for Profit, independent organisation?
Can you help Hale Community Centre do more?
Hale Community Centre has worked hard to provide a safe and welcoming space that supports the community as it navigates its way through the changes we have all gone through to our normal lives and routines. We do not receive regular funding from the local councils and have to raise income from renting our rooms and from donations and project work in order to keep the Centre open to all. The operational costs to be covered by the Charity are over £1,000 per week.
Are you interested in becoming a friend of Hale Community Centre?
This would involve either providing a one-off donation or providing a regular donation, the charity could also claim gift aid if appropriate.
Are you able to support the activities at Hale Community Centre as a volunteer?
Or are you already involved in an organisation that could offer free sessions?
For more information or to donate or volunteer please contact Melissa Salisbury on 07471 180958 or by email at manager@halecommunitycentre.org.uk
Bank details: Sort code: 08 92 99 Account No: 65375602
You can support us by donating via our JUST GIVING page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/hccjustgiving |
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