Hale Community Centre in Upper Hale is celebrating the arrival of a new centre manager, Melissa Salisbury.  

Melissa lived in Hale as a child and young adult and continues to live in the Farnham area. She has been involved with the local parish indirectly all her life and has a real understanding and love for the area. 

The majority of Melissa’s experience has been in not-for-profit organisations ranging from government departments to local authority and education.

While not sustained by activities with a commercial focus, the need to be accountable has always been there for Melissa with such things as league tables and Ofsted reports or being held accountable by the local population. 

Her experience working for the youth service and within Hampshire Scouting has given her a wide range of knowledge in safeguarding and safety issues within youth centred provision and she has also had first-hand experience of supporting young people in crisis.

In her new position as centre manager at Hale Community Centre, Melissa is hoping to be able to give back to the amazing community of north Farnham.

The variety of projects that Hale Community Centre currently supports are all very much needed at this time, and she relishes the challenge of continuing these initiatives whilst responding to the needs of the local community.

Norma Corkish