At the Heart of Hastings Future
The Education Futures Trust (EFT) has a mission. It, “aims to improve the life chances of children, families and vulnerable adults in Hastings and the surrounding area by helping them realise their potential and overcome the social, emotional and educational barriers to achievement.”
And they do so. With multiple ventures EFT offer a range of activities, venues, educational skill development and countless inviting and accessible opportunities.
Its focus is primarily on the needs of the most disadvantaged and excluded residents in our town. The team claim to “build resilience to enable sustainable change. We work holistically, providing learning through forest schools, conservation work, our Shore Academy, sport, catering experiences and our community café, whilst offering projects that include:
- keyworkers who support vulnerable children and families
- coaches who provide 1-1 intensive support for adults with multiple issues
- a parenting practitioner who builds positive child-parent relationships
- alternative provision for children struggling in mainstream education
- a CCG funded Health and Wellbeing Hub, which involves coordinating systems and services in north-east Hastings”
The First is one of EFTs most innovative and forward-thinking ventures. Collaborating with Plumpton College Lewes in 2021 as part of the Town Deal, EFT announced Plumpton was coming to Hastings. Over the next five years the project will develop underused land into an educational hub here in the town. From a bespoke classroom, tailored to accommodate the full range of diverse students who will use it, Plumpton will deliver a “green, environmental and land-based curriculum”.
EFT also proudly run a community café, The Drift, on the first floor of Hastings Contemporary. Aside from providing customers with fresh produce and top quality coffee, the young people have a safe environment to work with EFT staff to learn lifelong and transferable skills.
West St Leonards is home to the EFT’s community hub where children and families can play, receive one-to-one support and attend an ever-increasing number of sessions based on improving life opportunities for both the children and their families. With so many classes being added all the time, contact EFT Learning Centre, 464 Bexhill Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN38 8AU, on 01424 722241 or at [email protected] for up-to-date details.
Last but not least is the EFT Hastings Youth Council, set up for 14 to 21 year olds to give voice to their opinions and opportunities to suggest and to actively make changes, as well as offering a variety of events throughout the year. For specific details on the Youth Council contact [email protected] or call 01424 722241.
And for further information on all of the above and everything else that EFT do, check out educationfuturestrust.org/mission-and-vision
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