Latest News
Find out more about the work to reopen the Park Centre for the youth and community here.
Joint Statement
Today, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, Jeremy Hunt, gave the go-ahead to start the process to potentially transfer the ownership of the Park Centre in[…]
Read moreThe story so far
West Sussex County Council, as sole Corporate trustee has advertised the property that is held by the St John’s Institute charity as a community asset transfer opportunity. The Council’s aspiration[…]
Read moreWho we are
Working in partnership with Burgess Hill Town Council our Trustees are drawn from local councillors, businesses and members of the community who bring a diverse range of skills and knowldedge.
Karen Taylor
Chair
In 2018, a young lad of 15, in my daughter’s year, unfortunately took his own life. For someone to feel like there was no other way, at such a young age, was enough for me to do something about it.
We managed to open The Escape Youth Club on 10th January 2020. We wanted our club to be different from any other, not only to provide a safe place to hang out with friends, take part in activities but to also help with their mental health and well-being.
Yann Davies
Trustee
I’m Yann Davies, the proud Managing Director of ABCOM IT Solutions (abcom.co.uk). Our focus has been on enhancing our IT systems and helpdesk, aiming to support small to medium-sized businesses and charities. My expertise in technology can significantly benefit charities and youth clubs, and through my extensive business network, I’m well-positioned to source skills and assistance for these organisations.
Calley Bryson
Trustee
Calley Bryson was appointed as a Trustee in February 2024. She has been a resident of Burgess Hill for 11 years and for several years was a local business owner.
Calley is an ambulatory wheelchair user and is a parent to two children with Autism. She is passionate about inclusion and accessibility as well as children’s mental health support and support for carers of all ages.
Alix Bell
Trustee
Adept in all aspect of direct mail, marketing and communications, I have spent 21 years working with key sector clients including large scale corporate companies, local authorities, SME’s and Charities, to identify, manage and deliver marketing and communication requirements.
Chris Cook
Secretary
I have been volunteering and working at youth clubs for over 40 years. In 2019 I became the CEO for Sussex Clubs for Young People and together we developed a team of youth workers providing over 50 youth clubs per week.
I am pleased that we are working to develop youth services at Park Centre that can thrive with the support of its community.
John Orchard
Trustee
John has lived in the area for over 30 years. In business he has a 25-year track record of forming, building and running successful project consultancy businesses. He is a Chartered Surveyor and an experienced Cost, Project Management, Procurement and Asset Management specialist.
John is passionate about supporting today’s young persons in developing their personal skills having been encouraged to do so at an early age himself. He believes the importance of these life skills cannot be underestimated!
Pauline Southam
Trustee
Spent many years involved in all things ‘property’. I worked for international banks in Real Estate and we were the second biggest lending bank for developments such as the Canada Tower, Canary Wharf.
I set up my own Limited company for buying, refurbishing and selling domestic properties around Canary Wharf and beyond. I co-managed Chainbow and went on to run Estate & Property Management in Haywards Heath
These diverse roles stands me in good stead to bring my skills to the table – keeping and improving the integrity of The Park Centre with the assistance of others.
Dawn Rennie
Trustee
Communities Officer with Clarion Futures Co-Chair of LGBTQIA+ staff network.
Currently funding and commissioning voluntary and community sector activities and projects. I love a challenge, translating needs and ideas into realities is my driver.
Matthew Cornish
Trustee
As a fundraising professional, I have worked with small/ start-up organisations, medium sized charities and currently with a large international NGO as a philanthropy manager. I bring a wealth of fundraising and strategic development skills that have maximised voluntary income streams, built brand profile and expanded service delivery. I have taken several voluntary positions within the community including Primary School Governor. I am currently a Town and District Councillor in my second term, and actively participate in supporting the community in which I live.
Richard Cherry
Trustee
A marketing and communications director with considerable experience of all elements of the marketing mix: experience gained across the public, not for profit and private sectors.
Cedric DeSouza
Trustee
I currently work in a SEND organisation which involves children, and I bring my financial and charity organisational skills to the role.
Jim Clapperton
Trustee
I have always had a very active interest in Burgess Hill since the mid-sixties.
I have had considerable experience over the years on the Urban District Council, town council and community involvement.
Joint founder of the Burgess Hill Bonfire Society, Hospital Radio Cuckfield, Chair of the Burgess Hill festival committee. Involved with the Goose Fayre. Plus much more over the years.
I look forward to the challenges and possibilities moving forward.
ABOUT EMILY TEMPLE
Learn more
about the history
that led to the opening of St John’s Institute
The Burgess Hill Local History Society published a
small booklet about Emily Temple who was an early benefactress of Burgess Hill although is little known.
Find out more by following the link here.
THE NEW CHARITY
In June 2023 the new
Park Centre Burgess Hill CIO
was established.
The objects are: To promote the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving their conditions of life.
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