About The Friends Centre
Friends Centre is an independent adult education organisation where learners can develop their knowledge, skills, understanding & creativity. In a number of welcoming and supportive places across Brighton and Hove our learning programme aims to:
- Help learners achieve their aspirations and meet the challenges they face
- Stimulate community interest and civic action
- Promote tolerance, social justice and international understanding.
Friends Centre was established in 1945 by Brighton Quakers. Throughout the Second World War, the Friends Meeting House was open to evacuees, refugees, troops and anyone else who was far from home. Informal social activities were often arranged. Friends Centre partly grew from these activities, and partly from concern amongst Brighton Quakers that there were few opportunities for local people to meet one another and talk.
'We felt the community would have all kinds of needs, such as meeting together in a search for knowledge and to share ideas, and they would need a place where every colour, creed, religion and social background could come.'
(Margery Sedgwick, Principal from 1945 to 1973 and still Friends Centre President)
In the early days, Friends Centre worked closely with the Workers' Educational Association, local education authority, art gallery and museum, youth service and local music groups to run informal learning events, including talks, discussion groups, music recitals, play readings, and a puppet group. Friends Centre was also involved in social action, calling meetings and study groups on many social issues including the campaign for African independence. Money was short and most of the work was done by volunteers, but by the tenth anniversary, activities were being held every night of the week and Friends Centre had gained a good reputation for putting on interesting talks and adopting an adventurous approach to art, music, poetry and philosophy.
Friends Centre courses gradually became more formalised, paid staff were recruited, and the Centre attracted government funding and accreditation from various educational bodies. Friends Centre outgrew the Friends Meeting House in 2005 and secured new classroom space at Ivory Place and a temporary office in Vine Street (The Vine Street office will the closing in Dec 2009 and relocating to Brighton Junction, Stroudley Road where we will also have new classrooms). Although an independent organisation, Friends Centre still retains the Quaker values of friendship, community, and social justice.
Throughout its history Friends Centre has learned the importance of involving people - learners, volunteers, and other organisations. Learners are an essential part of Friends Centre and contribute their ideas, energy and enthusiasms.
We have always welcomed volunteers to support individual learners in meeting their goals.
Click here for more information on volunteering
We work with many community partners who help us plan our programmes by identifying community and learning needs.
Friends Centre is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.
For more information please see our latest Annual Report.
Contact us
By phone - 01273-810210
By email - info@friendscentre.org
By post or in person - Friends Centre, Brighton Junction, Isetta Square, Stroudley Road, Brighton, BN1 4GQ
How to Find us
Office hours
During term-time the reception is open from 9.30am to 7.30pm.
In half terms and holidays the reception is open from 9.30am to 3pm except on bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year when Friends Centre is closed.
Jobs & Volunteering at Friends Centre
Friends Centre Staff
Term dates 2009-10
General Adult Education courses:
| Autumn Term | Monday 28th September – Friday 11th December 2009 |
|---|---|
| Half-Term | 26th - 30th October |
| Spring Term | Monday 11th January - Friday 26th March 2010 |
| Half-Term | 15th - 19th February |
| Summer Term | Monday 19th April - Friday 2nd July 2010 |
| Half-Term | 31st May - 4th June |
Adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL courses:
| Autumn Term | Monday 7th September – Friday 18th December 2009 |
|---|---|
| Half-Term | 26th - 30th October |
| Spring Term | Monday 4th January – Friday 26th March 2010 |
| Half-Term | 15th - 19th February |
| Summer Term | Monday 19th April - Friday 9th July 2010 |
| Half-Term | 31st May - 4th June |
