About us
Our history
Our story goes back almost a hundred years, to a boys’ club on Tilehouse Street. Here’s how it grew into the Hitchin Youth Trust of today.
1920s
Tilehouse Street Boys Club was started by the Rotary Club.
1944
The freehold of Caldicott School was bought by Colonel Harrison after de-requisitioning and gifted to the Hitchin Youth Centre Association (HYCA), which was formed to administer the gift.
1940s–60s
Initially the club was limited to 14 year olds and above. It flourished until the 1960s and was often oversubscribed. Girls were admitted as members and numbers peaked at over 300, with a waiting list.
1960s–70s
A new building was provided in the 1960s, but during this and the next decade support steadily declined, in line with the national pattern. Membership fell to fewer than 30. Local government agencies used the main Caldicott School buildings at various times, raising vital income to support the adjacent wooden club building.
1984
The government agencies left, which helped to precipitate the club’s closure as maintenance and security costs exceeded income. The main building was retained by the Trustees, and a new company, Caldicott Centre Ltd, was formed to raise funds and run the building, with HYCA providing it rent-free and a £5,000 setting-up grant.
1984–1991
With the building increasingly shabby and costs escalating, HYCA commissioned independent reports to find a new strategy that better met the needs of young people in its area. After much protest, the Trust gained permission on appeal to demolish the centre, and the proceeds of the land sale were invested in the interest of young people in the Trust’s area.
1991
HYCA was renamed Hitchin Youth Trust. Since then the Trust has managed its investments to ensure there will be sufficient funds to maintain the premises and provide grants for many years to come.
2026
In July 2026 the Youth Charity Hub was officially opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, giving local youth charities a free base to work from.