Insight Security - working with Horsdean Community Sports Association

Horsdean Community Sports Association - promoting sport and supporting the local community

As part of our "Support for Local Communities Programme", in 2024, in addition to other initiatives to help our local community, Insight Security elected to work with the not-for-profit Horsdean Community Sports Association, to assist them in the great work that they do in helping the development of youngsters through their active participation in sporting and other activities.

Who are the Horsdean Community Sports Association?

In 2012 the Horsdean Community Sports Association (HCSA) was formed with the aim of improving the sporting facilities for a number of local football and cricket clubs and the community, whilst retaining the local ground as an accessible open space area for use by the local community. And since their formation in 2012, HCSA have obtained Fields-in-Trust Status to protect the recreation ground.

The local clubs supported include; "Patcham United" football club, as well as "Brighton & Hove Crescent", "Dome Mission", and "St Matthias" cricket clubs – all long-established local community clubs with qualified coaches, juniors and adults that comply with the current health & safeguarding standards of the governing bodies.

What do the Horsdean Community Sports Association do?

Their primary activities relate to encouraging and facilitating boys and girls aged from around 5 years old and upward, to participate in sports, including cricket, football and other outdoor sporting activities. Offering a fun way to develop their individual fitness whilst helping to tackle the ever growing issue of childhood obesity and the problems it can lead to.

The qualified and certified volunteer coaches and support personnel help to nurture and develop the participants to their sporting potential and take up positions in the junior or senior football or cricket club teams as their skills develop. As well as developing fitness and sports skills, the environment and the input from the coaches also lead many participants to improve their social skills and mental acuity.

Delivering this sort of service to the community, does of course involve a massive amount of behind the scenes work, and the enthusiastic volunteers at HCSA tackle everything from maintaining the grounds and facilities, to scheduling events, use of the football and cricket pitches and facilities, and funding the operation, which in the lack of any financial backing from the local council, is a constant struggle.

Funding the Operation

Although the local council offer encouragement and some grass cutting support, they are unable to offer any financial aid, and the Association are therefore reliant on self-funding.

A limited amount of Grant Aid from various sources is available to successful applicants, but financing relies heavily on proceeds raised from various charity events, and charitable donations.

Insight Security are pleased to be able to contribute to such a dynamic and worthwhile investment in our community and have committed to donating £1.00 for each order placed on-line for security products, purchased directly through our on-line shopping facility at; www.insight-security.com. 

Grounds and Premises Maintenance

		Encompassing some 2.5 acres, the site requires a considerable amount of time and effort to maintain it to the high standard it has become known for.  The local council help by periodically mowing the outer area of the grounds to keep the grass under control,  whilst the HCSA volunteers maintain the Buildings, facilities and the playing areas including the cricket and football pitches.
		Maintaining the cricket wicket requires the annual application of ground preparation materials such as loam, and regular manual effort to keep it in tip top condition for matches. Heavy duty rollers are used to maintain a flat even surface for the wicket, and the rolling and regular grass trimming activity, keep the volunteers fully occupied!
		Since taking over responsibility for the site, HCSA have made significant improvements to the old club house, including conversions to provide male and female toilet facilities as well as a special facility for those with a handicap. The physical security of the building has been beefed up and the recent introduction of an upgraded monitored alarm and new CCTV facility are proving a great investment. As has the introduction of new bench seating and additional litter and recycling bins.
		The site is used extensively by the community and local sports clubs, so the installation of a Defibrillator is an invaluable facility for the community, ...offering 24/7 availability for instant access in case of emergencies.

A demanding ongoing commitment 

The physical maintenance of the grounds and buildings is a demanding and costly activity, and without the huge investment of time and effort provided by enthusiastic volunteers, the site would simply deteriorate into a near wasteland as is evident from similar sites dotted around the country.

In addition to maintaining the grounds and buildings however, the Association also have to maintain and service all types of equipment and source new or replacement equipment as it becomes necessary.

Behind the scenes, the volunteer Management Team work tirelessly to maintain this great asset for the community and the sports clubs that rely on it.

Insight Security are proud to assist with support for the Association and we offer our heartfelt thanks to all of those involved with them, in providing such an excellent facility for the local community.

If you would like to join us in helping to support this great enterprise, please get in touch with us,

call us on tel: 01273 475500 and we`ll be happy to discuss how you can help, or will be happy to put you in direct contact with the HCSA Management Team. ...we would really appreciate your support.

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