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:

🛟Newhaven Lifeboat 🦺Christmas Fayre

It's almost that time of year!
The Newhaven Lifeboat Christmas Fayre this year is returning to the Hillcrest Community Centre
📆 Saturday 21st Nov,
🕓 10.30am - 2.30pm
🎄 Come along and get in the festive spirit with stalls, games, refreshments and visit the main man himself in Santa's Grotto! 🧑‍🎄

🐾🎄 **Christmas Nose work for Dogs!** 🎄🐾

Treat your four-legged friend to a fun-filled festive evening of sniffing, searching, and enrichment with **Seaview Dog Training**. 🐶✨Get your dog's nose working!
Tap into your dog’s incredible natural instincts with Scent Detection training!
📅 **Wednesday 9th December**
⏰ **6:30pm - 8:30pm**
📍 **Hillcrest Centre, Newhaven**
💷 **£20**
🐾🎅 Spaces are limited, so book now on **07710 766971**. 📞✨

Peoples Emergency Briefing Community Screening

Hosted by Chris Packham, the film brings together some of the UK's leading climate and nature scientists, alongside voices including Jennifer Saunders and a former British Army general, to answer one simple question: what's really happening, and what can we do about it?
Rather than doom and gloom, The People's Emergency Briefing looks at how climate and nature breakdown is already affecting the things we all rely on, from our food and health to our homes, infrastructure, economy and national security. Just as importantly, it shares practical evidence about the actions that can still reduce those risks.
After the film, we'll be joined by Dylan from People's Park for Nature for a relaxed panel discussion and Q&A on local action and environmental initiatives.
2nd December, 6pm - 8.30pm

To book your tickets, click the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peoples-emergency-briefing-community-screening-tickets-1996980514476

🎄Christmas Linocut 🎨Workshop🎁

🎄 **Get Creative This November with Linocut Workshops!** 🎄
Join us every Monday throughout November from **2pm-4pm** and discover the art of linocut printmaking.
✨ Perfect for creating unique Christmas cards, handmade gifts, festive prints, and decorations.
📅 Every Monday in November - Starting November 2nd
⏰ 2pm-4pm
💷 £15 per session
🎨 All materials included
Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to develop your skills, these relaxed and creative sessions are the perfect way to make something special this festive season.
📩 Book your place today!
Contact Sally on :
📧jennings.sally@gmail.com or
☎️07876666784

🎅Christmas Market 🎄

🎄🎁 **SAVE THE DATE!** 🎁🎄
The **Hillcrest Centre Christmas Market** is coming on **Saturday 5th December, 11am - 3pm**!
Expect a magical day packed with: 🎅 Santa's Grotto
🎨 Children's Crafts
😊 Face Painting
🎵 Live Music
🛍 Fantastic Stalls
🍔 Tasty Food
⭐ **FREE ENTRY FOR ALL** ⭐
Whether you're looking for unique Christmas gifts, festive treats, or family fun, there's something for everyone.
Interested in selling at our market?
📧 Book your stall today: **juliadunstandesign@gmail.com**
📍 The Hillcrest Centre
🗓 Saturday 5th December | ⏰ 11am - 3pm

🎄Christmas Cake Decorate & Sip🥂

📅 Friday 11th & 18th December
🕐7pm
💰£40.00 per person
Includes a bento cake to decorate, all decorations, your box to take it home in. As well as prosecco, nosecco or soft drinks.
Learn how to ice your cake in Lambeth style design in your own chosen colours with Christmas decorations.
Cakes will be vanilla sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry conserve.
Classes are fun and light, you’re free to design in your own way too!
These are not strict lessons.
🎟️To book please visit : Christmas Cake Decorate & Sip | Cakes By Ashleigh
* *Cakes can be made with gluten free and dairy free ingredients. Please request this in the notes at checkout. This must be pre-booked.*

Parkinson’s UK

💃 **Parkinson's UK Dance Class in Newhaven**
Join us for a fun, friendly dance class designed for people living with Parkinson's, as well as carers, partners and friends.

🕐 Every Wednesday
Term time sessions
1:00pm - 2:00pm
📍 Hillcrest Community Centre, Newhaven
💷 £5.00 per class
Come along, keep active, meet new people and enjoy the benefits of movement through dance in a supportive environment.
Everyone is welcome!
To book contact Katharine:
📧 info@katharineleroux.co.uk
or
☎️ 07938 036009

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 🌿✨
Term time only
📧Book a taster session: svp01@hotmail.com
📞Or call: 07540833183

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 new course starts Wednesday, 28th October 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.
Term Time Only

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

11 week courses. 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 £6 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:** 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