Mick's Garage Community House


Worthing Homes, Mick’s Garage community project and Spurgeons Childcare worked in partnership to open Mick’s Garage Community House in March 2007.

The house is unique as it started with residents and has been shaped entirely by the residents’ needs and requests.


Mick and Chriss Smith had been working out of their kitchen and from a garage to fix bikes, lend a listening ear and support and organise school holiday trips. They also ran a very successful football team. These activities were initially funded by Community Safety, Sussex Police and West Sussex Children's Fund.


Since the house opened, things have gone from strength to strength with a high weekly attendance record. Current activities at the house include:


  • a drop-in for the local residents where they are able to network and get support, advice, information, and signposting to relevant agencies/services
  • preventative work around drugs and other health issues
  • literacy classes
  • a computer room used by all but which includes a homework club
  • weekly computer club
  • Gardening club, led by local volunteers by the local community to promote healthy eating
  • base for the St Stephens church football teams
  • Kraftikids after school clubs
  • Holiday activities
  • Volunteer opportunities and training
  • Advocacy for residents when dealing with statutory agencies

We carried out a questionnaire recently to give local residents a chance to say how they feel about the house. We asked how the community house has helped their families. Some of the comments received include:


  • 'The house has helped my mum and brother when he was attacked'
  • 'I now feel more involved with the people in my road'
  • 'It has helped me with homework and let me use the internet'
  • 'By teaching me new stuff'
  • 'Finding something to do out of school hours '
  • 'Because it helps us understand more about the way we behave'
  • 'Having confidence and making friends'
  • 'Helped with children if I have problems and need support'

Rooms are available to hire at reasonable prices - booking policy (pdf file).


Read the Community House newsletter(pdf file)

 

If you would like to support this exciting valuable project either by using its facilities or providing funding for future years, please contact the Resident Involvement Co-ordinator on 01903 703 132 or the Resident Involvement Co-ordinator .  Alternatively call the house on 01903 209 006 or pop into the regular Tuesday coffee morning between 10am-12pm and meet Mick, Chriss, Leigh-Anna and their regular helpers.