Bulky waste
Due to resource issues, we cannot take bulky waste phone calls today. The phone line will be open again at 9:30am on 22 April. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Clubs and activities
New Dance Club for children in care: ‘Care to Dance’
The Virtual School has recently commissioned a new 9 week dance programme which will be free for children and young people in care (who fall under the remit of Brighton and Hove LA) and which will start in September 2023.
For more information or if you wish to sign up an eligible child, please send an email to kirsty.baker@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Brighton Table Tennis Club for children in care/previously in care
All ages.
We work in partnership with Brighton Table Tennis Club to provide free one to one coached sessions for children in care and children previously in care.
Sessions run on:
- Saturdays at 11am to 1pm at the Brighton Table Tennis Club (Kemptown)
- Fridays at 3:30pm to 5pm at Moulsecoomb Primary School
Holiday Art Club for children in care/previously in care
Age 6 to 13 years.
We work with Future Creators to run free week-long holiday art clubs for children in care and children previously in care. The club has been very popular, with carers and children alike singing its praises, and with increasing numbers joining each year. The art club is on during October and February half term, as well as the Easter and Summer Holidays.
You can view an online exhibition of some of the work produced during the art club which has a new theme each time.
Creative Writing workshops for children in care/previously in care
We worked with Little Green Pig to offer young people a chance to develop their creative writing skills. This ended up with their stories and poems published in a book. They were also given the option to perform their pieces at a live event. As well as the book called ‘Me, Myself and Us’ being published, a video showcasing the impressive work and performances of the young people was produced.
Music workshops for children in care
We've worked with a variety of talented musicians and groups to enable young people to carve out their own path in music.
This included:
- singing
- hip hop/rap
- playing instruments
- performing live music.
Recently we worked with Ric Flo or Flo-State Phoenix as he is now known on Twitter, offering some of our young people a hip hop and spoken word workshop. Our young people were fortunate to have homegrown musician and superstar Rag’n’Bone Man turn up to offer some extra support and inspiration.
Watch the video that was produced to showcase the sessions and the incredible music and spoken word that was made by the young people that took part.
Go Kid Music - weekly music club for children in care
Go Kid Music is a weekly extracurricular music club which is available through us for primary aged children in care. Children’s songwriter and musician Al Start has over 12 years’ experience leading music lessons and clubs and works in many schools around Brighton & Hove.
The weekly sessions feature:
- singing
- music games and activities
- playing percussion
- trying out instruments.
Dolly’s Imagination Library for children in care
Ages 0 to 5 years.
We offer book-gifting programme, Dolly’s Imagination Library, to children in care under the age of 5 which was set up by Dolly Parton in 1995 in her hometown in Tennessee. Since then, the Dollywood Foundation has sent over 100 million free books to children worldwide, with more than 3 million posted in the UK. Reading and imparting a love of books is one of the single most important things we can do for our children. Book sharing with a child encourages bonding and development of language, communication and cognitive skills.
Letterbox Club for children in care in Years 3 and 5 and SEN children
We offer another book-gifting programme through The Letterbox Club. Each child in the scheme receives their own colourful parcel of books, maths games, stationery and other high quality materials once a month for 6 months, from May to October.
Higher and Further education for care leavers
We offer young people the chance to explore their future career aspirations through various trips and days out. Some of our past excursions have included theatre trips and university open days (Oxford University, Cambridge University as well as those closer to home such as Sussex and Brighton Universities).
- Information and support for care leavers to access further and higher education
- Guide to applying to university as a care leaver
- Propel is part of Become, the charity for children in care and young care leavers. They provide help, support and advice so that young people who spend time in care can unleash their potential and take control of their lives.
- Information on scholarships and bursaries available to care leavers progressing to higher and further education
University Open Days
To book and request information for upcoming open days, please use the following links:
- Brighton University
- Sussex University
- Oxford University
- Cambridge University
- London College of Fashion
- BIMM Institute Brighton
- University of the Arts London
Children and young people in care or who are care experienced
Find links and resources to charities and supportive organisations.
Get involved with the Children in Care Council.
Children in Care Council promotional video
Become is a charity for children and young people in care and care leavers.
Beyond is a charity aimed at supporting care leavers.