Youth Unity is proud to be delivering weekly Youth Sessions in Hilldene, creating a safe, welcoming space for young people to spend time positively, build relationships, and connect with trusted adults in their community.
Taking place every Thursday at 3pm on Farnham Road, Hilldene, our mobile youth van offers a relaxed drop-in environment where young people can take part in activities including gaming consoles, table tennis, basketball, music, and shared social space — with hot drinks available and a friendly team always on hand.
But these sessions are about far more than activities.
A Safe Space with Trusted Adults
Our youth workers are experienced, approachable, and focused on building trust. This means young people have adults they can speak to openly, whether they need advice, reassurance, or simply someone to listen.
Conversations often develop around real issues affecting young people, including school, friendships, wellbeing, safety, and future aspirations. By meeting young people where they already are, we remove barriers to engagement and create opportunities for early support before challenges escalate.
Listening to Young People and Shaping Support
Being consistently present in the same location allows us to build meaningful relationships and better understand what young people in Hilldene want and need. Their voices help shape future activities, projects, and support pathways, ensuring services are relevant and genuinely youth-led.
This approach also helps identify young people who may benefit from mentoring, specialist programmes, or referrals to other services — allowing support to be timely and appropriate.
Strengthening the Wider Community
These sessions are not only for young people. We regularly speak with parents, carers, and local residents who stop by to ask questions, share concerns, or simply say hello. Building positive relationships between young people and the wider community is a key part of creating safer neighbourhoods and reducing tensions.
We welcome local involvement and believe that when young people feel valued and supported by their community, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Working in Partnership
These sessions are supported by the Metropolitan Police, as part of a wider commitment to prevention, engagement, and community safety. By working in partnership with statutory services and local organisations, we are able to provide visible, positive youth engagement while also linking young people into wider support when needed.
Looking Ahead
Our goal is to use these sessions as a gateway to longer-term opportunities — including mentoring, creative projects, sports, and skills development — helping young people build confidence, resilience, and positive aspirations.
If you see the big black van on Farnham Road on a Thursday afternoon, please come and say hello. We are always happy to talk, listen, and work together to support local young people.
