The Pamoja After School & Weekend Youth Club is an exciting new initiative launching in April 2025 in Lewes. The youth club is designed to provide essential support to a diverse group of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. By focusing on developing life skills and promoting good citizenship, the project aims to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable youth, including those at risk of criminal involvement, young carers, fostered children, asylum seekers, refugees and victims of abuse.
Pamoja Youth Club is opening its doors on Tuesday 1 April at Lewes Football Club, and will be open fortnightly on Tuesdays and Sundays:
- Tuesday’s after-school hours are 4:30–7pm, and are tailored to those aged 14–16.
- Sunday’s weekend hours are 11am–1:30pm, for a slightly older cohort of 17–21 year-olds.
A structured programme of practical lessons and workshops will help young people build the skills necessary to lead successful lives – both in a personal sense and as responsible members of the community. Activities include growing and composting at the community garden at Lewes Football Club, and learning about cooking and nutrition.
The youth club will create a safe space and inclusive environment to help foster a sense of belonging and connectedness for young people that may feel marginalised. Vulnerable young people facing particularly challenging circumstances are welcomed and will be given targeted support. Experienced mentors, counsellors and role models will attend the youth club to provide valuable advice and support for navigating life’s challenges.
Activities can provide rehabilitation and prevention for those involved in or at risk of criminal activities, and offer individuals such as young carers and those from refugee backgrounds opportunities for growth and empowerment.
“Pamoja Youth Club will enable young people to gain skills in gardening and compost-making at the Lewes Football Club Community Garden hence creating a safe space for vulnerable individuals to socialise have a meal and not indulge in criminal offences.”
– Tony Kalume, Diversity Lewes.
Programme of Activities
The Pamoja After School & Weekend Youth Club has a truly exciting and diverse range of activities lined up to engage the young people of Lewes and equip them with valuable life skills. Here’s a breakdown of the specific programs and activities:
Gardening and agronomy life skills (Brad’s Pit, Lewes Football Club)
- Propagating, cultivating, horticultural practices, permaculture, rewilding for pollinators, composting.
- These activities will teach practical gardening and sustainable living skills, while promoting environmental awareness and responsibility.
- Young people will gain an appreciation for nature, learn about food production and contribute to the local community garden, providing positive personal and professional outcomes.
Nutrition and cooking skills
- Using local and seasonal ingredients from Brad’s Pit, nutritionists will teach young people how to cook easy, healthy meals and demonstrate basic cooking techniques.
- The programme will teach young people valuable skills around food preparation, nutrition, and healthy eating, while also encouraging self-sufficiency.
- Participants will gain invaluable knowledge on how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget.
Audio engineering, singing, rap, beatboxing and performance
- In partnership with Audio Active, young people will be guided in developing their musical talents one-to-one or group sessions.
- These activities can help foster creativity, build self-confidence and provide a constructive outlet for self-expression. It could also pave the way for career opportunities in the music and entertainment industries.
- Participants can engage in vocal training, learn audio engineering and explore the world of performance, which is particularly beneficial for those who have an interest in music, production and entertainment.
Painting and Graffiti Art (U-Can Spray Project)
- U-Can Spray will lead youth through graffiti art projects, allowing them to express themselves through visual arts.
- This programme is as a great way to introduce young people to artistic expression and urban art culture, helping them channel their creativity in a positive way.
- This will allow youth to develop skills in painting and design and provide an opportunity to decorate the local community with meaningful art.
Exhibitions, talent shows and performance events
- Occasional talent shows will provide an opportunity for participants to showcase their talents in singing, rap, graffiti art and more. Presentations and talks on debates around crucial issues will be encouraged to help cultivate positive body language and voice projection.
- The events will be ticketed to allow young people to gain confidence in their talents and receive recognition for their hard work, engage the wider community, and help with the long-term sustainability of the project through funding.
- This offers the youth an opportunity to experience the thrill of live performance and receive recognition for their hard work.
With this wide and exciting set of activities and a clear mission to support vulnerable youth, Pamoja Youth Club hopes to make a lasting impact on the local community. Young people be empowered and engaged to develop transferable skills that can help in their education, careers and personal lives. The project also seeks to foster a sense of community and belonging through participation with local businesses and talent.
Can you support?
Pamoja Youth Club is actively seeking sponsors, donations and volunteers to ensure the continued success of the project, expand opportunities for young people, and allow the activities to flourish in a sustainable way. Volunteers can help with various activities, mentoring and providing additional support for events and projects.
Please email: pamojaafterschoolclublewes@gmail.com or tony@diversitylewes.org.uk for more information.
Pamoja Youth Club is funded by the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund. It has also received a small grant from the Lewes District Food Partnership.