What is Kidz Klub Hangleton?
Kidz Klub Hangleton is a project aimed at helping children and young people in Hangleton, Knoll, North Portslade and Mile Oak and the surrounding community.
It is a project run by Kidz Klub Brighton & Hove (registered charity number 1126869), partially funded by Churches local to the Hangleton area.
What are its aims?
We aim to help children and young people in the following ways:
- By showing them genuine care, esteem and acceptance – regardless of their background, belief or behaviour.
- By giving them a fantastic and fun time through a wide range of great activities, competitions and prizes.
- By exploring and explaining the Christian Faith to them and encouraging them to live a lifestyle based on Christian values.
For a fuller description of how we help children, please see 10 Ways Kidz Klub Benefits Children.
Who leads Kidz Klub Hangleton?
Chris and Debbie Jarvis are the leaders. They have been working with children and young people for many years and have 5 children (and 5 grandchildren!) of their own.
How is Kidz Klub Hangleton funded?
The church provide the premises and the finance for a budget for all the club’s many running costs. There is a small entry charge at Kidz Klub which helps towards those running costs.
The church also contribute to Chris and Debbie’s charity, Kidz Klub Brighton & Hove. This enables the charity to employ Chris (full-time) and Debbie (part-time).
How many Kidz Klubs are there?
We currently run 3 weekly Kidz Klubs in different parts of the city as follows:
- Kidz Klub Carden for children in Hollingbury and Patcham on Monday evenings in partnership with Immanuel Family Church.
- Kidz Klub Moulsecoomb for children in Moulsecoomb, Coldean and Bevendean on Tuesday evenings in partnership with New Life Church.
- Kidz Klub Hangleton for children in Hangleton, Knoll, Moyne, Mile Oak and part of Portslade on Thursday evenings.
We also run youth groups called CY & OY. CY is on a Monday evening straight after Kidz Klub Carden, and OY! (Oasis Youth) on Thursday evenings straight after Kidz Klub Hangleton.
How did it all start?
Chris and Debbie led the Kidz Klub at Church of Christ the King for 6 years (2002-2008) before it was closed and Chris was made redundant after 21 years on the church staff as a children’s and youth worker. Chris and Debbie had been inspired to begin that club because of the amazing example and work of Bill Wilson in New York City.
After much thought, prayer and consulting others, Chris and Debbie decided to set up a charity so the work could continue. The option of just walking away and waving goodbye to so many very disappointed children was unthinkable. For many of them Kidz Klub had become one of the highlights of their lives, and a strong faith had grown in lots of them.
For the full story of the transition from the old Kidz Klub to the new community-style ones, please see The History of Kidz Klub.
Over the past 2½ years a number of local churches have invited Chris and Debbie to start a Kidz Klub as part of their church’s involvement in their community and their desire to connect with local families.
