New report details extensive youth provision in Sevenoaks Town

Published: 10 March 2026

A new Social Value Report about Sevenoaks Town Council’s youth provision is now available on the Town Council website. The report outlines the services and facilities provided to improve the wellbeing, development, and inclusion of young people in the town. Requested by the Youth Services Committee, the report reviews where support is currently being delivered and identifies opportunities for further provision.

Councillor Chloe Gustard, Chair of the Youth Services Committee, remarked, “We are proud that Sevenoaks Town Council is supporting such a wide range of activities and services for young people across the town. From the success of our House in the Basement youth café, to strong partnerships with local organisations and the continued growth of the Youth Council, we are creating an environment where young people can develop, participate and engage with their community.”

Sevenoaks Town Council invests approximately £107,600 annually in youth provision, representing around 7% of its precept, this is significantly larger than many other town councils in the Sevenoaks District.

A central part of Sevenoaks Town Council’s youth offer is House in the Basement (HitB); a dedicated youth café located beneath The Stag Community Arts Centre. The venue provides a free, safe and welcoming environment for young people aged 11 to 17 to socialise and take part in a variety of events and activities. Developed with significant input from the Sevenoaks Youth Council, the café is youth-led and responsive to the needs of local young people. Attendance continues to grow at HitB with 221 first-time visitors during the last year. House in the Basement also hosts a weekly SEN club which in 2025, saw its highest number of young people attending since COVID-19.

The Town Council also supports youth development through partnerships with local organisations. Activities at The Stag enable young people to engage with arts, performance and creative learning. In addition, Sevenoaks Town Council distributes grants to organisations delivering youth projects across the town. Recent funding has supported initiatives such as skateboarding sessions delivered by Samsara Sport, Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra, and young performers participating in the Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival. Town Council grants have also supported We Are Beams in providing advice services for families with disabled children.

Sevenoaks Town Council also works with the Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership to deliver the Rail Safe Friendly Programme. Through workshops and digital learning, last year the initiative reached 5,758 pupils across thirteen schools.

The Town Council will also soon be working with the Kent Family Hub programme which delivers a wide range of facilities and services to support children, young people and families.

Every year, Sevenoaks Town Council organises free theatre events. On Sunday 3 May, families are invited to come along to Professor Slug’s House of Bugs show at the Vine Gardens.

Maintaining and developing youth facilities in the town such as playgrounds, the skatepark and a multi-use games area is also a key priority for the Town Council. These facilities promote physical activity and social interaction, contributing to health and wellbeing from early childhood through to adolescence.

Youth engagement is further supported through Sevenoaks Youth Council, which now includes a record 80 youth councillors. Youth Council meetings provide a forum for local young people to discuss issues, engage directly with decision-makers and shape youth services.

To read the Sevenoaks Town Council Youth Services Social Value Report, visit our Youth Services webpage.