Cedars Youth and Community Centre, based in Harrow Weald just next to Cedars Manor School, has been providing vital services and support to young people and the wider community for over 40 years.
Established in 1979, the centre has become a hub for social and educational activities and is widely recognized as a cornerstone of the community. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, local children would attend youth club sessions at the centre on Fridays and during school lunchtime, the centre has always maintained a good relationship with nearby schools Hatch End High and Cedars Manor.
The Cedars Centre offers a wide range of programs and services to young people aged 8 to 19 years old, including after-school clubs, youth groups, holiday activities, and mentoring.
The Community Sports & Education Trust of Watford FC oversees the management of the centre who, along with Harrow Council, jointly applied to the Department for Education’s MyPlace Fund in 2008 and were successful in receiving £4.2 million to regenerate the facilities.
Graham Taylor OBE, Tim Loughton MP, and Nazim Ismail, the mayor of Harrow at the time, opened the enhanced centre in May 2012.
The Cedars Centre is committed to providing inclusive and accessible services for all members of the community, including those with disabilities and special needs. The centre has a dedicated disability team that works to provide tailored support to young people with additional needs.
One example of the Cedars Centre’s innovative approach is its partnership with Watford FC, together they work to represent the interests of young people in the local area through football. Through this partnership, the Cedars Youth & Community Centre has been able to engage with young local people with activities and holiday courses and of course, their Pre-Academy football programme.
Another example is the centre’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. In 2020, the Cedars Centre was awarded a grant to install solar panels on its roof, reducing its carbon footprint and helping to secure its long-term future.
The Centre has an outdoor 4G Astroturf pitch, an indoor sports arena, a social area, a community gym, a playground and many more things. In addition to its buildings, the Trust offers a wide range of community-focused programmes.
In 2019, an extension costing nearly £1Million was unveiled thanks to financing from the Football Foundation, London Marathon Charity Trust, and Bernard Sunley Foundation.
If you want to get your children involved in local activities, especially football, the centre is well worth checking out.
