WHAT’S ON AT THE HILLCREST
Scroll down for detailed descriptions of our different groups, events and classes.
Groups, Events and Classes at the Hillcrest Centre
See the below timetable for our regularly scheduled classes and events, or scroll down further for our special events. For a detailed view of our timetable see the events page.
See some of our upcoming special events below:
Dance Vader
Get ready for an unforgettable night at The Hillcrest Community Centre as the ultimate 90's cover band takes the stage for one night only! Join us for a fantastic evening filled with music, dancing, and a wave of nostalgia. Celebrate the iconic sounds and culture of the 90s performed by our very own local band, Dance Vader. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from the licensed bar provided by Haven Connections Café. Don’t miss out on this incredible event! 18+ ONLY!
Limited spaces available!
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
Christmas Market - Stall holders wanted!!
🎄🎅 Are you a maker, seller, or local business looking to share your product this festive season?
Join us at our 3 Musketeers Newhaven to Kenya Christmas Market, where we're bringing together a wonderful range of Stalls to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit! 🎄🎅
If you're interested in having a stall, please email juliadunstandesign@gmail.com to secure your spot!
Let's make this Christmas magical together! ✨️
Plant Based Evening
Join us for a vibrant Plant-Based Evening at Havens Connections Café on Thursday 25th September at 7 PM. Whether you're curious about plant-based eating or already passionate about it, this is a chance to share delicious dishes, swap recipes, and explore the benefits of a plant-powered lifestyle.
Tickets are just £5 per person, and every attendee will receive a free recipe book by renowned author Marlene Watson-Tara. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space to learn, taste, and connect.
To book your place, email: havensconnectionscafe@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
Seaview Dog Training & Boarding Puppy Classes!
🐶🐕 Join us at Seaview Dog Training & Boarding for fun Puppy Classes! ✨️
Over the course of 6 weeks, your furry friend will learn all sorts of skills, including lead walking, recall, focus, stay, and leave—plus many more exciting things! The cost is just £90. To reserve your spot, feel free to email us at raggettkaren@gmail.com. We can't wait to help you and your puppy have a great time together!
🍄 Adult Pottery Evening 🍄
Create a Ceramic Toadstool with Julia! 🍄
Join Julia for a relaxing and creative Adult Pottery Evening, where you’ll have the chance to craft your very own ceramic toadstool with expert guidance from Julia!
All materials are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready for a fun, hands-on experience!
No experience necessary. Enjoy a sociable evening and take home a unique creation.
To reserve your spot or find out more, please contact us at juliadunstandesign@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
Tuesday 21st October, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
£25 per person
Children’s Clay Club
⚱️🎨 Julia's Clay Club is back, and it's going to be so much fun! ✨️
This exciting six-week course invites children to dive into the wonderful world of clay, where they can play, explore, and learn together. They'll discover a bunch of cool techniques, from glazing to coiling, and create all sorts of amazing projects! Perfect for kids aged 7 and up, this course is only £60 for all six weeks. Join us on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30, starting on September 10th. We can’t wait to see you there!
Email juliadunstandesign@gmail.com to book your place!
🎃 Adult Pottery Evening 🎃
🎃 Create a Ceramic Pumpkin! 🎃
Join Julia for a relaxing and creative Adult Pottery Evening, where you’ll have the chance to craft your very own ceramic pumpkin. All materials are provided, just bring your enthusiasm and get ready for a fun, hands-on experience!
No experience necessary. Enjoy a sociable evening and take home a unique Halloween creation. 🎃👻
To reserve your spot or find out more, please contact juliadunstandesign@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
28th October, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
£25 per person
Introduction to British Sign Language 6 week course
Join Louise, a friendly BSL user, and her interpreter for an exciting 6-week introduction to British Sign Language course! Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to learn some fun basics, this course is perfect for you. Get ready for a good time filled with games, quizzes, and lots of informal fun! It’s a fantastic way to connect with others and improve your hand-eye coordination. We can’t wait to see you there!
Course starts every Wednesday from 17th September.
£66 for 6 week course.
To book, email louisegibsonbsl@gmail.com
BSL Coffee Morning
Louise, a BSL user, and her interpreter invite all deaf and hearing BSL users and learners to join us for a cosy coffee and chat! It's a wonderful opportunity to meet both new and familiar faces while boosting your confidence in a supportive environment. We’d love to see you there!
Every Wednesday for 6 weeks, starting 17th September.
Donations towards room hire are appreciated. (Suggested £3-£5)
The Living Coast Undersea Experience 2025
Newhaven
#TLCUnderseaExperience
https://linktr.ee/TLCUnderseaExperience
VR Film clip: https://www.kp-projects.co.uk/the-living-coast-undersea-experience-360-film/
Eventbrite Ticket sale link
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-living-coast-undersea-experience-at-hillcrest-centre-newhaven-tickets-1610307646519
Facebook event link
Kapow Wrestling
💥 Get ready, Newhaven! The UK's most electrifying wrestling spectacle is back in town!
🎉 A Thrilling Show for All Ages!
Join us for 2 hours of high-energy, family-friendly wrestling action!
Kids tickets from £5 for a limited time!
Cheer for your heroes, boo the villains, and become part of the wildest crowd in town! And maybe even meet the stars after the show!
• 👶 Suitable for kids aged 3-+
• 📸 Meet the wrestlers after the show!
• 🎭 Heroes vs Villains theme
•🎂 Great for birthday parties!
🎟️ Book now — front row seats go fast! Kapowwreslting.co.uk
Expect bone-crushing slams, gravity-defying moves, and larger-than-life personalities in a night of pure adrenaline and family-friendly entertainment!
🎟️ Tickets are selling fast! Grab yours quick!
Havens Connection Café will also be open selling food and refreshments!
Shaolin Qigong class
🥋 Join Rhys for Shaolin Qigong classes every Monday at 10am at the Hillcrest! 🥋
These sessions focus on the 8 Treasures Qigong— simple yet powerful movements — along with dynamic meditation and breathwork techniques. For more information, visit Qiphysio.co.uk or call Rhys at 07773143886
Into Art Classes
Join local artist Hayley Cox every Monday 10-12pm and Friday 10-1pm for a social art session where you can develop your skills, learn new ones and meet other local artists. Suitable for any skill level, all are welcome to this friendly and informal art group.
For more info, email wildseaarts@gmail.com or call Hayley 07751742127.
Meditation
Start your weekend right with a calming and mindful meditation session with Scarlet. Suitable for everyone, open to all.
Tai Chi Classes
Movement and mindfulness in this ancient art
every Tuesday afternoon 2-3pm. To book email allan@thetao.study
U3A Art Group
u3a is a countrywide charity-based organisation that hosts different groups and events for retirees and those no longer working. Join your local u3a group at the Hillcrest Centre for art every Tuesday 2-4pm.
Filmmakers Community
Following the success of the spring sessions Film Sussex will be hosting more workshops and courses throughout September to the end of the year.
These sessions are designed to welcome everyone who is passionate about filmmaking to participate and engage in a series of bi-weekly workshops.
Each session will feature engaging talks from industry professionals, valuable networking opportunities with other local filmmakers, and the exciting chance to actively participate in the filmmaking process.
If you are interested in joining these enriching sessions, please email: hello@filmsussex.org or register through their website: https://www.filmsussex.org
Join HYC
Haven Young Creatives is a free drama group for 8-12 and 13-18 year olds in Newhaven. Build confidence, make new friends and have a great time in this welcoming community club.
Stay Active Longer
Thursdays 11:00 - 12:00 - £8 - drop-in
As a community of 'Movers,' we help each other stay active and healthy as we age.
Each session focuses on balance, flexibility, aerobics, and strength - with fun music and encouragement.
All bodies and abilities are welcome - Whether you're new to exercise or a regular mover, you will find the help you need to work out safely, at your level. Sit, stand or stand with support - and move at your own pace - no judgements here!
Any questions? Contact Mary at MaryMovesit@gmail.com or on 07773022429
Ballroom Dancing
We specialize in Adult & Private Lessons for Ballroom, Latin & Sequence and Argentine Tango Salsa!
Whether you would like to learn a 1st dance for your special day or engage in weekly lessons and fall in love with the variety of styles we offer we ensure all levels of experience are welcome!
If you are interested in finding out more why not give us a call. 01273 513784 / 01273 476565
6.45pm Beginners Tuition Class
7.30pm Social Dancing practice for all levels
8.15pm Follow-on Class Tuition
9.00pm Finish
Creative Writing
20 week course. Fridays 10am to 12.30pm - Visit the website for prices. Courses run year round.
Tutor: Xanthe Gresham - website: https://www.writingclinic.co.uk/weekly-classes-in-newhaven.html
For more details contact: Umi Sinha on 01323 325891
Email: umisinha.writing@gmail.com or visit our website
Haven Harmonies is a friendly community choir that performs at community and fundraising events. We have a professional music leader Cara Barseghian who teaches and leads us in a variety of popular songs. We also have a Singalong group who visit care homes and entertain the residents with songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Our choir is organised by a very active committee.
If you would like to join us on Monday evenings at the Hillcrest Centre 7 – 8.30pm for a friendly and joyful hour and a half of making music please do contact Marian Stanley on 01273 611068 or email our secretary at havenharmoniescommunitychoir@gmail.com If you want to know more we have a Facebook group and a website www.havenharmonies.wordpress.com.
There are no auditions and no requirement to read music. The first week is free and then we ask a fee of £5 every time you attend. Please do come along, we would love to see you.
The Nebula is a free, peer led support group at the Hillcrest Community Centre Newhaven.
Anyone is welcome to attend and there are free refreshments. We meet weekly to chat and offer support to each other. Locally it is difficult to find supportive mental health services that are immediately available. This peer led support is people helping each other. It is a safe and confidential space.
What is said in the room, stays in the room.
We support each other with compassion and no judgement as we all understand what it is like to suffer from poor mental health.
The Nebula is run by Pinky.
You can contact Pinky on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/535810757234539/?ref=share
You can also call hillcrest reception for information on times and sessions.
Eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart, the ancient art of storytelling is both timeless and contemporary. GuestHouse Storytelling Club hosts diverse professional storytellers to work in a community context and provides a sustainable platform for local storytellers to share and create work.
The Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at The Hillcrest Centre in Newhaven. We have no registered membership; everyone is welcome and you become a member by attending. To find out about upcoming events you can email us on info@guesthousestorytellers.com or visit the website www.guesthousestorytellers.com.
There are two 7 minute floor-spots per Story Night. Tellers vary from the very well trained and experienced to people stepping into the water for the first time. Everyone is welcome and every story and teller is different, providing a varied and rich feast of tales to carry away with you and maybe even re-tell. If you would like a floor-spot, please write to us at info@guesthousestorytellers.com or catch us on a Club evening.
The rest of the evening is devoted to a professional teller, often of international renown.
Our History
GuestHouse storytellers began in 2006 and is inspired by a poem by the 12th century Persian mystic, Rumi, which you can read here: www.gratefulness.org
Find out more: guesthousestorytellers.com
Time: Café opens 7.00pm. Stories from 7.30pm
Mondays & Thursdays from 10am onwards
In the last hut behind the main centre
The workshop is well-equipped and, although there is no formal tuition, a lot of the members have been carving for many years and are able to give expert guidance at all stages of learning so that beginners quickly find the confidence to carve their first simple objects and gradually move on to more ambitious projects. We also have a kettle!
Our most experienced members produce beautiful carvings to a professional standard and are able to sell their work ranging from walking sticks to sporting trophies, and even our newest members are already turning out very pleasing works to be proud of!
New members are always very welcome, so if you share our love of wood and fancy trying your hand at woodcarving, or already have some experience, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact the Hillcrest reception for details - 01273 512376 / info@hillcrestcentre.co.uk
Or stroll down to the workshop on a Monday and see for yourself.
U3A Art - Tuesdays 2-4pm
Pilates every Tuesday 11.30-12.30
Newhaven Ukulele
Join this informal ukulele group and learn a new skill. For everyone from brand new beginners to seasoned players - just £2.
Wednesdays 7-9pm