Who We Are

Our Youth Hub at Riverside is designed to be a home away from home for young people age 11-17. We aim to support young people to be the best version of themselves, whether they have a Christian faith or not. Youth Pastor Abbie’s professional background is in Early Help/Social Care, Youth Homelessness Services, church ministry across denominations, outreach work, youth mental and emotional health and working with people with complex needs. She brings these skills to Riverside and has a particular focus on not only hosting a safe place for young people, but also being and becoming safe people. We aim to reduce barriers for young people with mental health conditions, neurodiversity, disabilities and other needs so please feel very welcome and included here with us. We are an inclusive and affirming church community, meaning that if you are an LGBTQ+ teen, you are welcome and safe here.

Partnerships, we believe, are the key to providing holistic support for young people. We are working closely with local organisations and schools to reach all kinds of young people, giving them opportunities, providing support and sharing in what we have to help them flourish in today’s world.

We have partnerships with The Whitstable School, Herne Bay High School, FAR Skate Foundation Academy and KCC Canterbury District Family Hubs.

Our Youth activities are made possible by the incredible team of volunteers we have, who give their time and energy week in and out to invest in our young people.

Riverside Youth Hub looks like this:

What we do regularly in the Youth Hub & Community…

Sundays:

Riverside Youth Church

Age 11-17

Location - Youth Hub

10am - 12pm

Our Sundays are relaxed, you are welcome to join in our group conversations about faith, or just come and enjoy the hub. Young people can come straight into the Youth Hub on arrival.

Mondays:

Riverside Church Youth Group “Cinnamon Squad” - By Invitation Only

Age 11-17

Location - Youth Hub & Community

7pm - 8:30pm

Our church youth group meets every Monday for organised group activities together. Sometimes we meet somewhere like laser tag, most times we are in the Youth Hub. We play games like Manhunt in the whole building, compete in team challenges, make food together, have movie nights, mainly just a chance to have fun together!

Tuesdays:

1:1 pastoral support in Herne Bay High School by referral

Support Nurture wellbeing Group at Herne Bay High School

Thursdays:

1:1 pastoral support in The Whitstable School and lunch club

Riverside Youth Club

Age 11-17

Location - Youth Hub

7pm - 8:30pm

Every Thursday our Youth Hub is open as Riverside Youth Club for local teens to have a safe, welcoming and fun place to meet friends for an evening out. Enjoy all the hub has to offer from our onsite bar where you can make your own air fryer pizza, milkshakes and other goodies. We have lounge area with Disney+ on the tv, or play the Switch with friends or just lay back on the large corner sofa with a blanket and relax. We have air hockey, basketball arcade, pool table, badminton, swingball, Art and crafts, colouring, gaming area and more!

Our youth club is free for all young people in order to reduce barriers and as a regular practice of our generosity as a Church Community.

Attending Riverside Youth Hub activities requires a signed and returned parental consent/registration form. Please complete the following form either digitally or in paper form and return to Abbie on the email address below.