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1082 Educators providing Courses

selena lovett

selena lovett

Selena's spiritual journey has taken her to many different places and through many experiences which have led to her being able to offer different spiritual modalities. She offers spiritual readings using tarot cards offering insight and guidance, mediumship readings to bring healing messages from your loved ones and focuses on leading healing courses to enable others to experience the magic of healing. Through her own healing journey she discovered that so many issues and imbalances began in the sacred area of the womb where she has spent time exploring and healing. After this incredible transformational journey where she gathered information on how to heal the divine feminine she now shares her unique formula for healing using Sacred Symbols, Angel and Reiki energy to heal ancestral lineage, releasing past traumatic experiences and issues that block people from connecting to their true being. If you feel called to begin your healing journey you can arrange a treatment with Selena. If you would like to really step into your power - start a life-changing healing course with Selena guiding you through an 11-week program through different healing modalities, the chakra system and sacred symbols. Selenas' courses are accredited by the IPHM. Selena is a Reiki Master, Energy Healer trained in Quantum Healing, Hands of Light, Chakra Balancing & Cleansing, T:I:M:E - Angel Healing, Pendulum, Chios, Karuna Reiki, Shamballa Reiki and has studied Chinese Medicine, Hypnotherapy, EFT, CBT, NPL, Mindfulness & Life Coaching. If you feel you are in need of some peace and balance in your life - please contact her to arrange a healing session Have a look at the services offered, readings and healings can be custom-made to suit and fulfil your need. You are not alone - reach out and begin healing. Selena was blessed with the gift of connecting with her spirit guides and loves having the opportunity to guide people through difficult situations and give insights into their life. Her focus is to empower people on their journey and to help heal and move any blocks that hinder their path. Selena is the author of the book Steps to Enlightenment and the Tarot Deck - The Journey to Enlightenment and co created The Art of Compassion Oracle Deck. When giving a Psychic reading; Selena will tune into your aura to gain insight and information about your life and your future to enable her to give you insight and guidance about certain issues in your life and to empower you with knowledge of how best to move forward and achieving your goals. A psychic reading can help you gain clarity in your current situation, when faced with decisions for your future or when you want to get a better understanding of the big picture. Whatever your issue, romance, career, or soul purpose - contact to organise a convenient time to connect online and talk about what you need, guidance through a psychic reading will be able to help understand what you are going through and what we can do to improve your situation. Learn Tarot to empower yourself!! In these classes, from Beginner to Pro. you will learn all about tarot and how to use it to guide yourself and give insightful readings for others, healing yourself along this journey with Tarot and then being able to use it as a tool to add to your business or to set up a new business as a Psychic Tarot Reader. Selena has produced a Tarot Masterclass taught at the Watkins Wisdom Academy. ¨Watkins has been an authority in the Mind Body Spirit field for over a century. Our teachers are all professionals in their field and each course is unique to their teaching styles. So you know that you are learning from the best!¨

St. Universe Tutors

st. universe tutors

London

We founded St. Universe Tuition after noticing a gap in the market for high-quality online language tuition. Because of this demand, we decided to create a platform where graduates of leading British universities can provide online language tuition to students from all over the world. OUTSTANDING TUTORS We carry out a rigorous screening process to select our tutors, so that we select only the most qualified and experienced teachers for our students. In order to provide tutors who are able to play a long-term role in their students’ language development, St. Universe Tutors regards all teachers as partners in the development of our company. Our teachers all have excellent academic records at prestigious British universities. It is our hope that each tutor can act as a role model and mentor to inspire their younger students to study at similar world-leading institutions. EXCELLENT TUITION St. Universe Tutors pays great attention to considering the study strategies and teaching methods which best complement our students’ learning styles. Students are taught in accordance with their aptitude, and tutors selected based on their suitability. Whilst our tutors are all highly-experienced, some specialise in a particular style of teaching, be it primary-school classes, or business English tuition. INVALUABLE INTERACTIONS Helping students understand and solve questions and queries after class is an integral part of the St. Universe Tutors offering. Our tutors act as partners in their students’ language development, and are on-hand to help whenever called upon. Considerable interaction with tutors helps students to enhance their language ability and self-confidence – allowing each to fulfil their maximum potential. PERFECTLY-TAILORED COURSES Our diverse collection of courses are designed with a range of ages and levels in mind. · Preschool students Beginning language learning at a young age can help to improve pronunciation naturally due to reduced interference from the child’s mother tongue. Young children also have a particularly strong ability to imitate and memorise words and phrases, which is conducive to the development of language fluency later in life. · Primary school students The period between the ages of 3 and 10 represents a crucial time in a child’s foreign language development. Laying the foundations in childhood, with accurate pronunciation and grammar, allows the child to start using English freely in their adolescence. · High school students St. Universe Tutors specialises in helping students into top British schools by recruiting the most experienced tutors and specialising in online tuition. We are able to provide academic tuition to aid high school students with common English language entrance exams for schools and universities, including TOEFL and IELTS. Preparation for British academic qualifications, including (i)GCSEs, A-levels, as well as 11+, 13+, 16+ entrance examinations, is also offered by St. Universe Tutors, across all conventional subjects and major exam boards. Our tutors are all experts in their fields, with deep knowledge of curricula and exam mark schemes. We put a particular focus on studying past exam questions, both in class and through tailor-made worksheets set as homework. All our worksheets are informed by our tutors extensive experience of learning and teaching at the highest level. · University students Studying in a foreign language, and moving to a new city, can be a daunting prospect for students. An experienced tutor to build academic English skills, and act as a mentor through a student’s studies is invaluable at this time. · Adults We cater to professionals looking to improve their business English, as well as those simply looking to take their conversational language to the next level! · School online teaching We offer online English teaching through tailor-made course for kindergartens, primary schools, and high schools in China so that all students have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of foreign languages, foreign cultures and customs, and broaden their international horizons.

Pownall Hall School

pownall hall school

Cheshire,

I am delighted that you are considering Pownall for this very important stage of your child’s education, and I hope that our website will introduce you to all the academic, sporting and co-curricular opportunities available here at Pownall Hall. As a preparatory school, we thoroughly prepare our pupils for the top performing independent schools in the North West. Our ‘up-levelled’ core curriculum allows pupils to aspire and achieve the results required to attend the very best academic schools in the region. This combined with a rich and diverse range of specialist taught subjects means that we provide the very best academic opportunities possible: science in our laboratory, art and design and design technology in our studio, music and drama in our very own Boddington theatre, three languages and extensive grounds, an astro and a sports hall for our specialist PE and Games lessons. Our co-curricular programme of wellbeing, mental health and growth mindset enables us to educate the whole child, developing them both socially and emotionally to become curious, hard-working, aspirational, inquisitive, kind and caring children. Many families aspire for their children to attend top performing schools for their senior phase, yet still wish for them to be at a co-educational, local school in their formative years. At Pownall, we are the very best of both and will provide your child with the strong academic foundations required for the demands of 11+ whilst remaining a small class size, nurturing and family based school. At Pownall Hall we are a family, a family of pupils, staff, parents, governors and friends, all working together to ensure an excellent academic outcome in a caring, safe environment. Our curriculum is creative, broad, active and diverse, wrapped in a caring ethos and all of this is underpinned by a no-compromise approach to the safeguarding of our children, ensuring a happy and safe place for your child to flourish. We are very fortunate to have over 8 acres of beautiful grounds allowing us to have outdoor classrooms, a wildlife pond and forest school provision within our woodland areas; all of which provides excellent learning opportunities for all ages, with free flow inside/outside learning in all our early years provision. Pastoral care is paramount at Pownall. Our staff really get to know your child and will always encourage them to talk if there is something on their mind; this of course will be shared with you, transparency is key. It is crucial that each family knows and understands their son or daughter in the same way that our teaching and support staff do. We will work together to ensure your child’s happiness. We also operate a buddy system between the children from the lower and upper parts of the school, further encouraging the importance of kindness. We have a whole child approach at Pownall. Your child’s social and emotional development is very important to us and has a direct correlation to their personal progress and success. As well as the bespoke areas, there is an essential focus on wellbeing and mindfulness that enables your child to develop a growth mindset that will ensure that they flourish. We believe that these values as well as mental health and wellbeing are just as important as the academic rigour we provide to achieving success in life. We want our children to see themselves as part of a bigger picture, we want them to see beyond themselves and how social values and the qualities of humility, kindness, compassion, discipline, and honesty, are such a very important part of who they will become and what they can be.

Family Therapy Interventions

family therapy interventions

London

I am a therapeutic consultant, trainer, play therapist and supervisor who has worked across a variety of settings for over thirty years. I am able to offer a range of services and strategies to support children, families and the staff who work with them to make positive changes in their lives. I have worked as a therapeutic consultant across seven schools in Manchester, Derbyshire and Tameside since September 2010 providing play therapy, group work, staff training staff and head teacher consultation, parent consultations and parent child sessions. Along side this work I have published several articles and also written three books Understanding and Managing Children’s Behaviour Ages 3-5: A child-centred group work programme published by routledge on 5th April 2016 Understanding and Managing Children’s Behaviour Ages 7-11: A child-centred group work programme published by routledge on 7th May 2013 and Understanding and Managing Children’s Behaviour Ages 5-7: A child-centred group work programme published by routledge on 16th November 2014 I also provide individual supervision for qualified play therapists, art therapists and drama therapists. I qualified as a Play Therapist in 2004 and worked for the Calm Spaces Project in Manchester for seven years until March 2011. I worked as a Project Supervisor for the last two and half years of this which involved working as a therapist with children and families, offering regular staff consultations, delivering training to schools and provided individual and group supervision to a team of 9 therapists including Play Therapists, a Drama Therapist and Massage Therapists. In addition to the list of services I provide, I am also able to design and deliver tailor made support and training on all aspects of therapeutic work , emotional health and wellbeing and behaviors for learning, to meet the needs of individual children, families, staff and schools. I have provided consultation and contributed to the Therapeutic Standards for Schools in Manchester document which was published in November 2010. I have extensive experience of working with children and families including: Residential children’s homes Primary schools Day nurseries Montessori nursery Children’s courier Setting up and working in an afterschool club Working as a nanny in England and abroad My experience of training includes the following: Training to Primary schools on emotional health and wellbeing and therapeutic practice (see menu of training) NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier for NVQ Childcare and NVQ Playwork courses Training to Diversity and Inclusion on understanding play therapy Lecturing on a range of courses including NVQ Childcare,NVQ Playwork, CACHE Diploma,BTEC National Diploma and Certificate in Counselling Concepts. Working as a volunteer with Adult Literacy classes Teaching English as a foreign language Conferences – see Events page My experience of therapeutic work includes the following: Working as a play therapist for over 10 years across primary schools in Manchester and Tameside delivering individual play therapy, group work, parent child work, filial therapy and staff consultations. Working freelance as a play therapist for Manchester Diversity and Inclusion Working freelance for the Big Life Company providing parent child work My experience of supervision includes: Working as Project Supervisor for Calm Spaces for two and a half years providing both individual and group supervision to a team of staff including play therapists, a drama therapist and massage therapists Providing supervision to an art therapist and school counsellor both working in primary schools. Supervision and consultation for primary head teachers and other school staff. Working as a Clinical Supervisor on the Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy for Liverpool Hope University providing both individual and group supervision to play therapy trainees. My qualifications include the following: Intensive Filial Therapy Training Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy Certificate in Further Education Teaching MA Women’s Studies Certificate in Counselling Skills BA Modern Studies (Sociology) Diploma of Higher Education Internal Verifiers Award (D34) NVQ Assessor Award (D32,33) Montessori Nursery Foundation Certificate NNEB

Laura Batten - Hello Baby Brighton

laura batten - hello baby brighton

My name is Laura Batten (she/her); I'm mum to Joshua (11) and Martha (5), wife to Leigh and I'm the founder of Hello Baby Brighton. We live in the Preston Park area of Brighton and have done for the last fourteen years. Being beside the sea is such a privilege. There's something about being right on the edge of the land - the sense of freedom, the waves and even the pesky seagulls add character! My pregnancy in 2010 with Joshua was very straightforward and complication-free. I absolutely loved being pregnant and felt carefree and marvelled at my growing bump. My labour, however, was a rollercoaster of stops and starts, and I felt out of control and I didn’t know how to help myself. It ended in the birthing pool - which is what I'd wanted - but looking back (knowing what I know now) I was getting in my own way. I wasn't letting my body do what it needed to do and without realising, contributed to my labour stalling. But in those final two hours in the pool with the most incredible midwife, I felt invincible. I knew immediately that I wanted to do this for other women. I'd never even heard of Hypnobirthing back then, so I originally thought about re-training as a midwife. Since then, sadly, I've experienced the pain of three consecutive miscarriages, and I deeply empathise if you've been through this trauma of any type of loss. How I was treated through one particular journey really cemented my passion of becoming a care-giver who can meaningfully change someone's experience of birth in a positive way. I’d had so much pregnancy and birth trauma and anxiety before I came to Hypnobirthing and I wanted to change that for myself, and for others. In 2017 I gave birth to my daughter, at home in the birthing pool, using Hypnobirthing techniques while my son slept upstairs! It was such a calm and empowering experience and I put it entirely down to my practice during pregnancy, and the mindfulness I used. I can't quite communicate in words how it feels to be able to teach women and couples to be completely empowered and have a birth they feel great about afterwards. So many don't think it's possible; they've had a bad experience before or heard horror stories; generally conditioned through the media and society that birth is painful and long; scared to believe that they're capable of a positive experience of birth. Hello Baby Brighton was founded with a passion to not only work with couples to help change their experience of birth, but also with the goal of continuity of care - something which is quite rare these days. From the moment you say ‘hello baby’ (however you have come to be pregnant or intended parents) to the moment you're holding your baby for the first time, it is the most wonderful and crazy journey of very mixed emotions. My Group and Private Mindful Birth Courses give you the tools you'll need to stay calm and focused, throughout pregnancy and during the birth of your baby and my online monthly Pregnancy Relaxation classes will help you feel grounded and looked after. And of course if you choose me to work alongside you as your Doula, we will have many opportunities together in your pregnancy to prepare you physically and emotionally. I trained in Hypnobirthing back in 2016 and have supported hundreds of couples since. I now teach the Mindful Birth Group course - an incredible 1st-4th-trimester package, which is rooted in mindfulness (and hypnobirthing techniques) but gives you so much more. You can read about them here. I would absolutely love to come alongside you in your pregnancy or new parenthood in one of my courses, classes or services. I feel so strongly about the right antenatal education and the magic of a Doula, that even if you don't choose me, please do choose fantastic pregnancy and birth support - it always, always makes a difference, whatever type of birth you have.

Nst

nst

, Lancashire

Founded in 1967 by a maths teacher in Lancashire, NST has worked alongside thousands of teachers, like you, to create unique school trip experiences and memories that last a lifetime. That’s why so many schools choose to travel with us each and every year. NST has been awarded the Feefo Platinum Service award in 2020, an independent seal of excellence that recognises those businesses that go above and beyond to provide a consistently excellent service and dedicate themselves to providing quality customer experiences year after year. Read below to discover more about why NST is the right choice for you. The NST experience With NST, you can expect something a little different. From the moment you start planning a tour with us, we’ll work closely with you to bring your school trip ideas to life. With our unrivalled knowledge of destinations across the UK, Europe and worldwide, together with years of experience in planning unforgettable school trips, we’ll help you to create a learning experience that’s as unique as your group itself. We've been formally endorsed For students studying GCSE History - our 3-day accompanied tour to the First World War Battlefields really can enhance the teaching and learning process for Pearson Edexcel’s GCSE History - Option 11: The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches – and that’s not just our view, our itinerary has been formally endorsed by the exam board itself. Support before, during and after your tour From the moment you enquire, you’ll have our full support. Our in-house team have extensive school travel knowledge, from the ins and outs of destinations to planning and arranging your ideal itinerary from start to finish. Whilst you’re away, benefit from airport assistance and the support of NST’s representatives, Subject Experts, specialist escorts and local guides in many of our destinations – plus our 24 hour emergency cover. And we’ll always be here for you should you need us on your return too. Safe in our hands Safety is at the heart of every NST school trip and our vigilant approach to safety management will offer the reassurance that we know is so important to both you and parents. What’s more, we have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Council’s Quality Badge, which is your guarantee that we manage safety on school visits effectively, whilst also creating high quality learning experiences. Visit our safety page to read more. Protecting your tour With NST, you’ll have financial protection from the moment you book your trip to your safe return because we’re fully protected through ABTA and ATOL, and we’re licensed by IATA too. Booking with us is the best way to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind. Don’t forget, if you book direct with an airline, your group may not be covered. Visit our financial protection page to read more. Bringing you even greater value for money At NST, we work hard to bring you the best possible value school trips to help make every penny count and save both you and parents money. Here’s how we’re helping you to money... Free places – We offer a generous free place ratio of 1 in 10 for air travel and 1 in 8 for coach travel on all tours. Pre-tour visits – Qualify for a two nights complimentary stay for two people in your chosen destination ahead of your trip. Loyalty reward – Save an additional £5pp from your first consecutive year of travel onwards. Secure your seats – We can secure your seats on any airline with an initial deposit of only £125pp. Take a look at our current offers and discounts. What next? Take a look at our range of trips using the search tool on the homepage or if you’re looking for inspiration, you can browse through all of our trips. To discover more about taking an NST tour, watch our video which follows one group on their tour to Spain. Alternatively, give one of our Educational Travel Advisers a call on 0845 293 7970 to discuss your tour ideas.

Warrington Russian Language School Solnyshko

warrington russian language school solnyshko

Warrington

It all began in June 2012, when a team of parents-enthusiasts set up a Russian speaking parent and toddler group, called “Solnyshko" (loosely translated as “Sunshine”). The aim of this group was to create a Russian speaking environment for their young children and help them in learning the Russian language. The parent and toddler group is aimed at children from 1 to 3 years and operates all year around, excluding school holidays. The sessions include the staples of singing, dancing, nursery rhymes, puppet shows, crafts and sensory activities for the younger ones, as well as themed sessions aimed at expanding vocabulary of a particular topic of the week, basic numeracy and knowledge of the alphabet. Following growing demand and in response to a number of requests, the Committee decided to open a Saturday school for teaching Russian language to older children in more depth. Thus, in September 2013 Warrington Russian Language School “Solnyshko” opened its doors to older children. The opening ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Warrington and accompanying dignitaries. "Solnyshko" has been expanding ever since and currently offers classes to children aged from 3 and 16 years. Classes are organised according to age and knowledge of the Russian language. The curriculum includes lessons of Russian language and literature, expanding vocabulary and music, preparing for Russian language GCSE exam. Our goal - creation of friendly Russian-speaking environment for children, helping them to learn the language, make friends and have fun. We are truly an international school, we unite people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups. The school holds regular “open lessons” and special children performances involving the school’s pupils, where parents have the opportunity to observe the development and success of their children. The Committee and school staff are tirelessly working on creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the school, which is important not only for children, but also helps adults to develop and maintain social ties and support each other. The school has a system of seeking parents feedback - in addition to regular parent surveys through written questionnaires, parents are invited to write their comments and suggestions and drop them in the “suggestion box”, located next to the entrance. They are also encouraged to ask questions or make suggestions at any time. The Committee is always glad to welcome new volunteers, who wish to join the management of the school. All school staff are DBS is checked. School teachers have appropriate pedagogical education and experience of working with children. Classes are held each Saturday from 9.30 to 11:50. From 12:00 a selection of clubs start. "Solnyshko" is a not-for-profit organisation, registered with Warrington Borough Council. Families, who have two or more children attending "Solnyshko" are eligible to discounts. Anyone, who is struggling to pay school fees, is encouraged to talk to the school’s Committee, where arrangements could be considered. *** Given the momentum and public support Warrington Russian Language School has received during its temporary closure on 12th of March 2022, we work closely with Warrington Borough Council on two matters: 1. On preventing bullying of kids with links to Russia or Russian language at this difficult time. 2. Working together helping Ukrainian refugees to quickly and successfully integrate into the community by providing translation/interpreting, advice and free lessons in our language school (English, Russian and Ukrainian), as well as access to art/painting, craft, music band, football and other activities in Russian language (as you know, most people in Ukraine can speak Russian language). We have a small database of local people (as well as our own teachers) willing to give their free time to teach various subjects and translate as necessary for the Ukrainian refugees. We also work closely with the community and can propose and host "tea and advice" meet up events in various locations. The temporary closure of our classes on 12th of March was very tough for everyone at Russian Language School "Solnyshko" (parents, pupils, teachers). We were so glad, however, to receive such overwhelming support from local community and happy it's behind us now. We look forward to even closer links to the wider community, St Wilfrids Primary School and Warrington Borough Council.

The Exam Factory

the exam factory

London

Our mission is to provide each of our students with the specific support they need to succeed at all stages of their education. We are a compact organisation, offering a highly personalised service, ensuring the highest levels of personal care and support. Experts in Private Tuition and Exam Preparation Tuition Services Private Personal Professional English speaking Tuition Lessons Early Years, Nursery, Primary, IGCSE IB A Level Teacher Tutor South of France Cannes Monaco Valbonne Mougins Nice IB 4 Private Tuition Our tutors offer personal tuition in hourly sessions across a range of subjects to students of all ages and abilities. These sessions focus on developing subject knowledge and confidence, with a particular emphasis on working to individual strengths and abilities, while addressing areas of concern. Following the initial consultation and assessment, students will receive a Personalised Learning Plan (PLP) to follow during lessons, and will receive regular progress reports through ongoing communication with parents, as well as unlimited access to their tutor via WhatsApp. Exam Preparation This is a unique programme that was created as a response to a need that we recognised while working in schools, and later as tutors with families in Monaco. The Exam Factory is an opportunity for students to focus their knowledge, and learn how to directly apply it within exam conditions. Students will be taught exam techniques in small groups, and discover how to manage exam anxiety, allowing them to enter their examinations prepared, and with confidence. Each session will include a teacher-led knowledge booster, exam practice, and immediate assessment and feedback on exactly where and how to improve. Home Schooling Our Home Schooling option is created for students who require an alternative learning environment and have unique requirements, that cannot be offered in a school setting. Students will follow the internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum, gaining transferable skills, sought after by top universities and employers across the world. Our Home Schooling programme is suitable for families who are seeking a different educational set-up or have other commitments, such as travel or sports. Our Home Schooling option is particularly beneficial for students with special educational needs, such as dyslexia or ADHD, or students who have encountered bullying or anxiety issues at school. Online English lessons Do you want to improve your English language skills? We offer online lessons with our expert language tutors to suit your busy schedule. You will quickly improve your spoken and written English, and benefit from our personalised course, based on your specific needs and ability. We can also help you prepare for English language examinations, including IELTS, TOFEL and all of the Cambridge English exams (FCE, CAE, CPE). Boarding School UK School Entrance Exams Examinations Common Entrance English Maths Online Private Tutor Tutors Teacher Lesson 8+ 7+ 11+ 13+ 16+ School Entrance Exams We prepare students for School Entrance Exams to gain access to leading boarding schools worldwide. Our specialised tutors will prepare students for school-specific entrance examinations, creating a bespoke programme, and supporting your child through the challenges of the School Entrance Exams. These programmes are offered both in-person and online for families further afield. Experts in Private Tuition and Exam Preparation Co-founders Richard Richard is an educational entrepreneur. Since graduating from the University of Oxford, Richard, a fully qualified teacher, has worked with several international schools . As a Senior Leader, Richard has supported thousands of students over the years, guiding them through their IGCSE, IB and A Level examinations, and through the university application process onto some of the most prestigious universities in the world. In recent years, Richard has been working closely with families in Monaco, devising personalised academic programmes to guide their students and the families trough the educational landscape. Justyna Justyna completed her Master's degree at King's College London, after which she went onto study at the University of Oxford, completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Science. Since then, Justyna has been supporting students of all ages and abilities in their study of Science and Mathematics, both in UK schools and, internationally, as a Professional Tutor. Justyna has a highly personalised style of management, and her enthusiasm is infectious. This has had significant positive impacts on the students she has worked with, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

Horden Youth And Community Centre

horden youth and community centre

Peterlee

Horden used to be a mining village, and back in the Sixties, it was the pit that defined what our community was. Young people were a vital part of that group, and the Centre you see today grew out of the Youth Club that started in 19­66 in the renovated pit canteen — and the Girls' Infant School (later a Mixed Infants, but the girls don't like to remember that part). Horden Youth Club moved from their first building into one on Sunderland Road, and from there to a "hut" in the school playground. When the Infant School closed its doors to little ones, Durham County Council offered the facility to the Youth Club. By the time they were ready to move in, in the late Seventies, rain had seeped into the building and where the pool table now stands in the main hall, a huge hole was dug to make the floor safe and re-lay the beautiful parquet flooring. When the repair and refurbishment was finished, Horden Youth Centre was born. It's all right — the hole was filled in, but if ever we tell you that a former staff member is still here in spirit, please don't ask too many questions… It was decided that two rooms could be offered to other people in Horden and so, for a while, what are now the dining room and training room were used for all sorts of activities leaving the rest of the building for the young people. It was at that point that we became Horden Youth and Community Centre, but it was several years before the "Youth" and the "Community" bits joined together in the way you see us now. Many changes have taken place in the intervening years, not least becoming first a registered charity and, later, a limited company. And now? Regardless of any surface changes, what we are at our core doesn't change at all. Quite simply, we are here to offer pursuits and experiences to the local community which encourage choice and personal development. By keeping costs down and creating a warm and friendly environment, as well as operating an 'open door' policy for anyone who requires help, advice, signposting or support — and often just someone to listen — we strive, every day, to provide a hub for people to become involved with new people and the wider community around them. In keeping with our motto 'from the cradle (almost) to the grave', we offer services for all age groups from the very young to the elderly. Take a deep breath, now… Our Nursery provides affordable child care for 2 to 5 year olds; the tweenies are well catered for with dance and gymnastics classes; the Youth Club caters for 11 to 19 year-olds; there is usually a huge variety of classes and activities for adults; and apart from our Luncheon Club, Friday Afternoon Bingo Club and Gentle Fitness group, we are planning even more events for the over 65s. This will include a Fifties-style coffee bar complete with 'frothy coffee' and period music, so keep an eye on the Centre notices, website, newsletters and local press for further details as we get them! Other future plans include 'Hole in the Wall Enterprises', a social enterprise venture that has grown out of our clippy mat group; open days; fairs (that's table-top sales, not waltzers and dodgems — but you never know!); and, of course, an ever-growing list of activities and courses. We know our past and our present, and are ever-hopeful that we will go from strength to strength in our future. We want people to use the Centre because that's what it's here for. We need to know what the community wants from us, and we need the people of Horden to tell us. We invite you — whether you want to join us and join in, offer your services, or complain that we're getting it all wrong — to come in for a chat any time and help us continue to help Horden — the way Horden wants!