Funding

The Horizons Community Learning Project began in 1996 on a housing estate in Hastings with 3 hours a week community development time funded through the University of Sussex Centre for Continuing Education's (CCE) Education Equality Unit.

Since then, the project has developed and grown working across Hastings and St Leonard's and, in particular, two areas of social housing suffering multiple deprivation.  New work across the town focuses particularly on the areas of community capacity building and leadership.

The Horizons project has received short-term funding through ESF, Adult and Community Learning Fund and Co-Finance LSC supported by a range of smaller funders and partners.  This partnership work has encouraged us to develop a diverse range of provision working, for example, with SureStart, Healthy Living Centre, Hastings College, Neighbourhood Forums, Housing associations, and others.  This enables us to work with a wide range of learners at a variety of starting points and with a broad age range of 16 to 90 years.  We provide both accredited and non-accredited courses including HE and FE accreditation supported with basic and study skills where appropriate.

Horizons has a part-time staff of two Co-ordinators, Administrative support and a large team of part-time tutors.  Short term funding has been a constant concern for the Project.  However, local commitment has mean that there has been a flexible and stable staff team which has greatly contributed to its success and good relations with the local community.