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:

Telling The Trees

**🎶 Stories and songs with Xanthe Gresham**
Trees are everyone’s friend, but fairies, witches and deities lay a special claim to their magic. From Hawthorn to Oak, Yew to Birch, trees have tales and songs to draw us in and enchant. An opportunity to get together and celebrate our rooted friends in story and song.
**🗓️ Tuesday 14th July**
**🕐 7.30pm**
**🌳Tickets £12/£10 concessions on the door or £8 advance concessions online**
**https://buytickets.at/xanthegreshamknightguesthousethegoddesslounge/2276147**

Pregnancy Relaxation Class

A monthly drop in class on the first Friday of every month from July 3rd onwards.
Are you counting down to maternity leave, chasing after little ones, or trying to stay on top of everyday life while battling pregnancy fatigue?
This new class will help you to truly relax and enjoy the many benefits of pregnancy relaxation. Set aside some time just for yourself.
🗓️First Friday of every month
🕐 6.30pm - 8.00pm
For more details please contact Suzie
📧suzie-nurture@outlook.com
www.nurturebumpandbaby.com

Children’s Clay Club 🎨

Join Julia for her new 6 week course
Starting Wednesday June 3rd plus selected dates throughout June and July
Age 7 + Years
£60 Per Child
To book your place, please contact: juliadunstandesign@gmail.com

British Sign Language Course

Louise, BSL user and her volunteer, offer a warm welcome to D/deaf & hearing BSL users to her morning gathering at the Hillcrest!
Its a great way to build your confidence and a safe space to communicate and express yourself in BSL.
**Open to all!**

**🌟5 week course**
**🗓️Every Tuesday, starting 9th June 2026**
📧 **louisegibsonbsl@gmail.com**

Singing Mamas

Find your voice, your breath and your community with Singing Mamas 🎶🌼 We sing easy, beautiful songs that reconnect you to yourself and others — a gentle weekly reset for the heart. A nurturing space for women of every age and stage 🌿✨
📧Book a taster session: svp01@hotmail.com
📞Or call: 07540833183

Pottery Course

**Get creative this season with Julia’s 6‑week Handbuilding Clay Course! 🎨✨**
**🗓️Starting Tuesday 21st July**
**Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting to deepen their skills.**
**You’ll learn pinch, coil, and slab techniques while crafting your own unique ceramic pieces 🏺💛**
**All materials & firings included.**
Spaces are limited — don’t miss your spot!
Email **juliadunstandesign@gmail.com** **to secure your space!**

Therapeutic Yoga

Starting Tuesday 23rd June 2026
12.00pm - 1.30pm
A 6 week course in therapeutic yoga for trauma recovery following Dr Arielle Schwartz's method 🧘‍♀️
Learning how to feel safe in your body through meditation, breathwork, nervous system regulation, vagus nerve stimulation, mindfulness and movement--plus a little sound therapy with beautiful chimes!
🧘‍♀️Bring a yoga mat, a cushion, and some water.
🧘‍♀️You can do all the practices in a chair if you don't have a yoga mat.
Open Access For All - Pay What You Can - £10, £5 or free if you can't.
Led By Dr Fraya Wolf
Contact for more details: frayazellawolf@gmail.com

Seaview Dog Training

🐾 Give your pup the best start with Seaview’s relaxed, family‑friendly puppy classes. Small groups, gentle guidance, and plenty of fun as you learn together.
📧For more info and to book your course, please email: raggettkaren@gmail.com
🗓️Next course starts Wednesday, 10th June 2026.
🕒6pm - 8pm

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

Shaolin Qigong class

🥋 Join Rhys for Shaolin Qigong classes every Monday at 10am at the Hillcrest! 🥋
£10pp - No booking required
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.

Table Tennis

Join your local U3A group at the Hillcrest Centre for every 1st and 3rd Monday 2pm -4pm.
u3a is a countrywide charity-based organisation that hosts different groups and events for retirees and those no longer working.
Cost £5 Per Week for U3A members
To join your local U3A or for more information please contact
u3aNP@outlook.com
www.newhaven-peacehaven.u3asite.uk/

Join HYC

Haven Young Creatives is a free drama group for 8-12 and 13-19 year olds in Newhaven. Build confidence, make new friends and have a great time in this welcoming community club.

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. 07810251391 / 01273 476565**

Creative Writing

20 week course. Fridays 10am to 12.30pm - Visit the website for prices. Courses run year round.
Tutor: Umi Sinha - website: https://www.writingclinic.co.uk/weekly-classes-in-newhaven.html

Email: umisinha.writing@gmail.com

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