About us

Breaks Manor Youth Centre is situated in the centre of Hatfield and within 10 minutes walking distance of the train station.

Young people come to the project in order to participate in the planned activities, hangout with their peers and make new friends. The project is staffed by friendly, approachable, trained youth workers who put young people's interest at the centre of their work.

There is a 'chill out' lounge for young people to relax, a computer suite with internet access, a music and recording studio, art and craft room and a motor bike project within the centre. In addition to these facilities, young people have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities such as basic cooking, drama, DJ mixing etc and develop life and social skills.

Young people are given the opportunity to voice their opinions and get information on issues that are important to them such as alcohol, drugs, health, education, bullying and peer pressure to name but a few.

Our activities can lead to recorded outcomes and accreditation.

What's on?

There are a number of interesting activities going on at Breaks Manor Youth Centre for young people from 8 to 19 years who live in the Welwyn/Hatfield District. Just contact the centre to find out what's on offer! There are lots of opportunities to try out new things (how about DJ-mixing, dance or motorbike skills) meet up with friends and have a great time.

Breaks Manor is a large manor house set in 4 acres of grounds and close to the town centre of Hatfield. It is within easy reach of several residential areas and is close to two secondary schools. Breaks Manor has been a youth centre since 1950 and forms part of the Hertfordshire County Council Youth Service.

Facilities at Breaks Manor Youth Centre

The centre has a wide range of facilities, which include:

• Floodlit play area
• Extensive gardens
• A hall (300 seating capacity)
• A stage with lighting, sounds and wardrobe facilities
• A pool room with two pool tables and two table tennis tables
• A cafeteria and clubroom with sound to light music system and surround sound television
• A computer room with 5 internet-linked computers and printers
• A fully equipped recording studio and recording facility
• Creative arts room
• Motorcycle workshop

What can you do?

The range of activities available at Breaks Manor is extremely diverse. There is drama, dance, arts and crafts, IT, football, a motorcycle project (maintenance, repair and off-roading), music studio with percussion and much more.

Why not Contact us for more details.

Youth Club times

The youth centre caters for different age groups from Monday to Thursday.

Come along, join in, have a great time, make new friends and learn something new.

Events and off site activities

In addition to the ongoing activity programme, the centre enable young people to participate in a range of events and off site activities. For example, we arrange a bi-annual youth exchange between Zierkzee in Holland and Hatfield. This is done in Partnership with Hatfield Town Council. Narrow boat weekends and numerous outdoor activities including rock climbing, canoeing, caving, improvised rafting and mountain biking.

'Meeting Point'

We also provide an after school facility for 13 - 19 year olds. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 - 6:00pm. 'Meeting Point' is run in partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Council and provides a warm, comfortable and safe environment where young people can relax and meet friends in an informal setting. It also offers the opportunity to obtain hot meals and drinks, use of our computer suite and other informal learning opportunities.

Workshops

There are opportunities for young people to engage in group work experiences, exploring issues around citizenship, sexual health, drugs and alcohol abuse, bullying and other topics.

Motor Cycle Project

This offers a range of learning packages including workshop practice, health and safety, motorcycle craft and off-road biking skills.

Learning Outcomes and Accreditations

Breaks Manor offers a stimulating and inspiring range of activities designed to appeal to young people. Through their participation in new experiences, young people are encouraged to develop both personal and social skills, develop self confidence and potential. We offer learning opportunities within an informal context for which young people can obtain recorded outcomes, accreditations and awards.

Mogozout information

The HCTP website channelmogo, has now launched a very exciting new 'events search engine' as part of the channelmogo website called Mogozout. This is due to requests from the websites young people's user group to have an exciting facility that is local to Hertfordshire for their age range.

'Mo' is a character invented by the group, and who invites young people to find out where to go out ? hence mogozout! The web address is www.mogozout.org

Other Organisations

A number of external organisations use the centre including:

• Hertfordshire Autistic Resource Centre
• SPLITZ Dance and Drama School
• Upholstery Classes

Community groups are welcome to hire rooms and facilities at Breaks Manor.

For details of anything above please contact:

Barry Clark - Head of Centre or Kirstin Whybrow - Centre Secretary

Breaks Manor Youth Centre
Link Drive
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL10 8TP

Tel: 01707 263 201 - Fax: 01707 263 669