Bringing Communities Together: My Visit to the Active Hastings Mosque Youth Project in St Leonards

Written by Andy Wright, Strategic Relationship Manager for Children and Young People at Active Sussex.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of the inspiring projects delivered by Active Hastings, this time centred around the young people of a Mosque in St Leonards.

Supported through Active Sussex’s Sport England System Partner Delivery Award, these projects form part of the wider Children & Young People (CYP) Coordinator Programme, led brilliantly in Hastings by Terry Cooper and Sarah Ruusuvuori in partnership with the Mosques brilliant Youth leader and local councillor Yunis Smith.

What I witnessed was a powerful example of how sport, culture, and community can combine to create a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space for young people.

A Safe Space for Young People Across Hastings and St Leonards

The session brought together 12 young people from across Hastings and St Leonards, all gathering in a welcoming environment to be active, connect, and have fun.

The atmosphere was energetic but supportive, exactly the kind of space where young people feel comfortable trying new activities and forming new friendships.

The centrepiece of the session was a lively game of dodgeball, filled with laughter, teamwork, and a healthy dose of friendly competition.

Respecting Ramadan: Activity with Meaning

As the session took place during Ramadan, the programme thoughtfully incorporated a mid-session break to recognise the needs of young people and leaders who were fasting. This also allowed time for prayer.

This pause wasn’t just practical; it was a moment of care and cultural respect that reinforced why these projects matter.
They aren’t simply about delivering sport – they’re about belonging, inclusion, and understanding.

Even those who weren’t fasting took the time to slow down, chat, and learn more about Ramadan from their peers. It was a quiet but powerful example of community-building in action.

Part of a Wider Mission Across Sussex

The St Leonards project is just one of several youth initiatives running across Sussex under the CYP Coordinator banner, with other sessions currently delivered in Crawley, Eastbourne, and Brighton.

All these projects share a clear mission:
🎯 Reach young people who are less active
🎯 Focus on areas of greatest need
🎯 Break down barriers to participation
🎯 Use local community hubs, like mosques, to create trusted, culturally‑relevant spaces

By partnering with local communities and listening to what young people want, the CYP coordinator team is helping ensure that physical activity is not just available, but truly accessible.

The result is a growing network of supportive environments where young people can thrive.

A Lasting Impression

My visit left me inspired. The energy, the respect woven into the session, and the commitment from Terry, Sarah, and the wider team made it clear that this project is doing far more than offering a sports session – it is actively nurturing confidence, connection, and community cohesion.

Seeing young people from across Hastings and St Leonards come together in such a positive environment reinforces exactly why targeted, community-led programmes like this matter.

I’m excited to see how these projects continue to grow and the impact they will have on young people across Sussex.