Before the Bell Tower was initiated, there had been a number of government funded youth centres in the city, which were forced to close due to the cutbacks to the statutory youth services. This left a huge gap in generic after school youth provision in Chichester. After extensive reasearch carried out in local schools during 2013, the Bell Tower was launched in order to meet this need.

The project was founded and launched in 2014 as a joint venture between local Churches, the University of Chichester and the Chichester Cathedral, following extensive reasearch that showed a lack in daily after school youth provision, after previous government funded youth centres in the city had to close due to cutbacks to the statutory youth services. We are supported entirely through grant givers and individual donations and operate through a diverse team of local volunteers.

• Consistency and open access – A safe space, free of charge, open five days a week to any young person, managed by a consistent core team of youth workers and volunteers, seeking to build long-term relationships with young people.

Why? 1) Many young people don’t have the opportunities to attend other clubs and after school activities 2) Young people don’t have the support and opportunities they need available from home . 3) Young people don’t have a safe space to be after school each day. 4) Trust is formed more quickly between young people, their peers and youth workers the more time they spend together in a safe, positive environment. This means that youth workers (and peers) can identify issues and be on hand to support young people as and when difficulties arise.      

• Home away from home – A welcoming environment with an informal structure to sessions where young people have a sense of ownership and influence over the space.

Why? 1) It communicates to young people that they are valued. 2)They respect the space and staff 3) Generosity is infectious. 4) An informal environment means young people can come as they are and feel comfortable. 5) It’s young people’s choice whether or not they come and involve themselves in more formal activities which leads to greater participation.  

• Co-Design – Opportunities for young people, alongside youth workers to co-design sessions and projects that respond to their needs, skills and interests

Why? 1) Young people are more likely to participate in projects that they have co-designed and are based around their interests and skills . 2) Projects also designed around the skills and interest of youth workers and volunteers, which means they will be led with passion and skill. 3) Young people are more likely to take leadership opportunities in projects in which they have as sense of ownership.  

• Lasting positive change – Creating leadership opportunities, to cultivate confidence growth and give young people practical experiences in preparation for adulthood.

Why? 1) Because they will to learn skills, grow in confidence and take opportunities that they receive. 2) Young people that build longer term relationships with our youth workers and their peers are more likely to positively transition into adulthood. 3) Because we can continue to support young people as they enter adulthood by offering volunteering opportunities.  

• Recognising the Individual – Being flexible in our approach to support each young person based on their individual needs and aspirations

Why? 1) Because of our relational and long term approach, we are more likely to be able to offer effective support and opportunities that equip young people and deliver the best outcome for individual young people. 

Our vision is to create safe and consistent spaces accessible to any young person in need in the Chichester area, regardless of background or circumstance, to be supported and empowered to thrive in all areas of life.

The Bell Tower Drop-In Centre is currently located at 104 The Hornet, PO197JR. The centre is open every week day after school between 3:00pm to 5:30pm, free of charge to all secondary school children.

Our mission is to provide high quality, well managed 5 day a week youth provision (after school) for young people aged 11-17 who live in the Chichester area. Including safe spaces for young people to meet, build positive relationships, develop new skills and take part in a range of activities co-designed to help them navigate the challenges of life as a young person.

Each young person we encounter have their own specific needs and challenges. Our commitment is to recognise each individual, make a connection with them and be there to support them, be it through long term relationship building and encouragement, or working to directly shape them through engagement in our more focused initiatives.

Please see our annual review page for our latest impact information, stories and stats.

Over the last four years, the Bell Tower has maintained a strong relationship with local schools. In particular The Chichester High School and Bishop Luffa School, where we have continued to run lunchtime activity drop-in sessions along with both group and one to one mentoring schemes.

It has been our privilege to be able to offer free of charge usage of our unique facilities available in the drop-in centre outside the normal hours of operation. This has included weekly evening use by another local charity supporting young people carrying the burden of caring for disabled members of their family as well as occupation throughout the summer months by young people of the National Citizenship Award. We are greatly encouraged by new friendships and partnerships across the community and delighted to be of further service to young people in need.

Due to a significant grant from The Dexam Trust, we have been able to refurbish the group activity area inside the Bell Tower. This has included modular lounge seating for sixteen young people, along with stow-able tables, a new smart television and a seven by three meter chalk board wall where young people can express creativity and each make their mark on our very own evolving community mural. This refurbishment has also enabled us to make better use of the space and engage with larger numbers of young people.

The Bell Tower is able to function each year due to the generosity of individuals in the community, local churches, the University of Chichester, and grant making trusts.  Fundraising is an ongoing task, crucial to our long-term sustainability, and with new initiatives and increasing engagement, funding targets for the coming year have also increased.

Thanks to the support from our local partnerships, including the Chichester Cathedral, University of Chichester and a number of local churches, the Bell Tower is now far more than just a growing project with an increasing number of young people attending. It has become a community hub where young people with real needs find care and support in an understanding supportive environment. The young person with learning and behavioural difficulties finds a place where they are encouraged and trusted with responsibilities in a safe environment on the Young Leaders Programme and can learn and develop skills in their own way. The individual facing an unstable and challenging home life can relax in a consistent, peaceful environment, where a listening ear is always available and their well being is protected. The young people facing increasing cultural pressures in relationships can speak freely and honestly with people who care in a non-judgmental, safe environment.