Family day at Hartlepool community centre hailed a big success

A thriving community centre showcased what it has to offer by inviting families to take part in a special event.
Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, making family trees are Ashley Brown and daughter Mia, the Mayor Coun Rob Cook, centre manager Alex Sedgwick, nursery manager Claire Wainwright, and Kirsty Bain with daughter Bethany.Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, making family trees are Ashley Brown and daughter Mia, the Mayor Coun Rob Cook, centre manager Alex Sedgwick, nursery manager Claire Wainwright, and Kirsty Bain with daughter Bethany.
Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, making family trees are Ashley Brown and daughter Mia, the Mayor Coun Rob Cook, centre manager Alex Sedgwick, nursery manager Claire Wainwright, and Kirsty Bain with daughter Bethany.

Belle Vue Community Sports and Youth Centre opened its doors for a Family Relational Day to help create new bonds with families on its doorstep.

The event was attended and opened by the Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Rob Cook.

Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.
Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.
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Ten invited local families spent Sunday enjoying taster sessions and activities that helped bring them together including sport, first aid in the home and internet safety that are provided at the centre in Kendal Road.

Centre leaders hailed the day a big success. Sue Rowley, a targeted outreach worker at the centre, said: “Families were invited so we could showcase what we do as a centre and concentrate on the whole family.

“Everybody got a taste of what we provide, because we’re not just as a community centre but a family centre.

“It went really well. There was lots going on and everybody thoroughly enjoyed it and stayed all day right until.”

Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.
Belle Vue Sports Community Youth Centre's Family Relational activity day, trying out sports are Sophie and Bradley Ashley, Peter Ashley, sports coaches Brian Baines and Claire Ashley, Leanne Naylor with children Amy and Jack.
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The centre’s Little Treasures day nursery also used the occasion to celebrate the launch of its new garden area which has had a makeover courtesy of young people completing the National Citizen Service programme.

And the Youth Employment Initiative, aimed at getting people into work, also ran taster sessions throughout the course of the day.

Family tree making proved another popular activity and the event was topped off by a disco.

The centre was founded in 1985 for residents of the Belle Vue estate.

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In 2001/2 it won a grant of more than £2 million from the Hartlepool New Deal for Communities Regeneration Programme and the European Regional Development to extend the centre into what it is today.

It provides a host of activities and amenities for people aged from tiny tots to pensioners as well as a cafe and training and conference facilities.