COUNTY NEWS: Game of Thrones actor opens new Sussex drop-in centre

A brand new drop-in service for young people in Sussex was officially opened by Game of Thrones actor Sam Coleman.
Actor Sam Coleman cuts the ribbon with Dr Rick Fraser,  Clinical Director of Children and Young Peoples Services at Sussex Partnership. SUS-161207-130841001Actor Sam Coleman cuts the ribbon with Dr Rick Fraser,  Clinical Director of Children and Young Peoples Services at Sussex Partnership. SUS-161207-130841001
Actor Sam Coleman cuts the ribbon with Dr Rick Fraser, Clinical Director of Children and Young Peoples Services at Sussex Partnership. SUS-161207-130841001

The new hub, called i-Rock, is based out of Rock House in Cambridge Road, Hastings. It has been up and running for a number of weeks but was officially opened on Monday, July 11 by Sam Coleman, who plays the young Hodor in the popular TV series. Sam went to school in St Leonards and is based in East Sussex.

i-Rock is open between 11am and 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Representatives from a variety of organisations are based at i-Rock and young people can drop in anytime and ask for advice about areas including mental health, education, housing and employment issues that are worrying them, or their friends.

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The new service is run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and was kick-started with funding from Hastings and Rother NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

Other organisations, including East Sussex County Council’s Emotional Wellbeing Service, have given resources to help with the running of the drop-in. It follows similar successful schemes that are up and running in Crawley in West Sussex.

Sam said: “It’s great to see a service for people aged 14-25 opening in Hastings. Young people are under so much pressure these days, from doing well in school to dealing with the 24/7 demand to be on social media and the issues that can bring, that it’s really important there is somewhere for them to go for help if they need it.

“In my life I’ve had some fantastic opportunities come my way but I know that not everyone is as fortunate, and I think that i-Rock is a way of helping local young people get the information and advice they need to help them achieve their dreams.”

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Ruth Hillman, director of Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services at Sussex Partnership said: “We’re thrilled that we can offer this new drop-in service to young people in Hastings and Rother. Looking after your mental health is really important as how you feel affects how you do at school and at work, how you interact with people and the decisions you make.

“Because we have representatives from so many organisations based at i-Rock, young people can get instant advice on any number of topics that may be worrying them. They don’t have to see a doctor beforehand, the door is open no matter how big or small the problem may be and we’re looking forward to welcoming lots of people through our doors.”

Follow i-Rock on Twitter @HastingsiRock for information and updates on the service.

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