We make our own Christmas art each year, and print it on a card to send to our partners, supporters and friends. It’s a really nice way to look back on the year and remember all the great experiences our young people have had, and to connect with people that we haven’t caught up to.
If you want to reach out and say hello, a Christmas Card to the young people at Close House is always welcome!
We do lots of projects to give young people a voice. Sometimes, they don’t really know what to say, and they need space to think and develop their opinions. This week we’ve been supporting the Hereford City Youth Council to make their platform bigger, so that more youth can have a say, and start to take control of the City’s future.
If you know a teen with some ideas and the energy to get them started, get them to join the Youth Council.
Drop-in will be closed until December to honour the UK lockdown, and get a grip on this stoopid virus. Let’s do it properly and pave the way for a normal and peaceful Christmas!
The youth workers will be working at Close House, doing lots online and keeping things positive and creative. If you know young people who are starting to get bored or lonely during lockdown, get them to give us a follow on Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Tik Tok… It’s all about keeping connected and being community.
We are still able to do one-to-one sessions and EPIC volunteering, all on a Covid-safe basis following the guidance from the National Youth Agency, so if you know a Young Person coming in to see us, you know it’s safe and all above board. The staff are spreading out in the office, so give us a call if you’re worried about someone. We can do music, art, food or chatting on a small scale for anyone who’s struggling or needs a break from pressures at home or school.
We won’t be accepting groups. Guidance says you can do socially distanced exercise outdoors with one other person, so if 3 people arrive at Close House together, they won’t be allowed in. Masks, sanitiser, distancing, 30 minute slots and lots of fresh air are the order of the day.
Please keep safe, be kind and reach out if you’re stuggling!
The louder the better.
Music grabs us and help us communicate our feelings when words fail us. The Hereford Police gave us some money to give young people an alternative to getting in trouble, and we put it to great use.
Flashy lights and tons of bass. Yes boi.
The September sniffles have arrived, and with everyone feeling on edge that means we all take extra precautions and stay home to recover. Sadly, that means we’re too short-staffed to open a full drop in session, but we can still make the place pretty!
What do you think? The curtains will make the room acoustics better for making music, so it’s a double whammy!
CVs are really tricky when you’ve been through the same academic journey as all of your mates, who are all applying for the same job. There’s only so far that clever wording and a decent layout will take you.
Fortunately, Tammy was there last year. She took you out on volunteering events as a steward, a server, a glass collector and a poppy seller, so now you have real-world work experience in a range of disciplines, and your CV looks decent af.
Good luck with the interview!
The last River Carnival in 2018 was one of The EPICs’ favourite ever shin-digs in the Shire, and they were made up to be involved in the filming of the Procession of Heads at the Castle Green this week for this year’s online festi. Learning about local legends like Ellie Goulding was icing on the cake after they paraded around like a 70s TV version of In The Night Garden for an afternoon.
Have a great festival from your armchairs, people. Make sure you support and we’ll catch you at the next one!
We love colour, we love words, we love leaving an impression where we go.
Our summer covid-blues were eased by a date with Footloose, dancer and graffer from Birmingham UK, who came and helped us learn to use sprays and brighten up the Close House Backyard.
When the going gets tough, the EPICs get going. Since we have to wear masks and hug the walls to maintain social distance, it’s the perfect time to spruce the place up a bit.
The last painting party saw the Red Room become the Fandango, which has been a contentious issue ever since. Who knows what colour the pool room will end up!
With the Close House Open day approaching it’s all hands on deck. We’ve been sending out invites, fixing that dodgy table that needed doing and making sure all are fed and happy helpers. We’ve had a good day playing Postman Pat, Bob the Builder and the Great British bake off.
for more information about the Close House Open Day please email admin@closehouse.org.uk.
closehouse.org 