Trustees Highlight – Hiltingbury Community Association

Trustees Week is an annual celebration of the vital role trustees play in supporting charities and making a difference in communities across the country. They are the backbone of countless organisations, working behind the scenes to ensure that services and support reach those who need them most.

This week shines a spotlight on these individuals, encouraging more people to consider becoming trustees and highlighting the incredible impact they have.

One of those people is Mike Hughes, trustee and one of the founders of Hiltingbury Community Association, the charity that built and operates The Hilt Community Centre in Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh.

We caught up with Mike and the current Chair of The Hilt, Richard, for an interview we recorded:

We also had a great discussion in a separate interview, found here:

A former Parish Councillor for Hiltingbury West Ward, Mike has been a trustee since the charity was founded 28 years ago. When he first moved to Eastleigh from London for work as a company director, he quickly noticed there was little for local people, especially children, to do.

“In the 1990s there was a real problem with crime. The police came out 16 times in one month. I remember sitting in a meeting with the Borough Council and the police, and when they asked who wanted to do something about it, I was the only one who put my hand up.”

Determined to make a change, Mike joined forces with Richard Lansdowne to form the Hiltingbury Community Association. With support from local business owners Roger Clark, Martin Housham, and David Shute, who all became trustees, they began raising funds and pushing for change.

At the time, Mike was Chair of the Hiltingbury Community Association and helped drive plans to transform the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. His vision was to create a community centre that offered facilities for all age groups and to replace an old, underused pavilion that had become a place for anti-social behaviour.

“There were plenty of hurdles, not everyone was on board with building the centre at first, and funding was always a challenge. But we were determined.”

With financial backing from Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, the team began developing the site in 2004. The community centre, now known as The Hilt, opened its doors in 2010.

“The old pavilion was somewhere people avoided. It was tired, run down, and seen as unsafe. We wanted to turn it into something positive, and now it’s a thriving place where people meet, play sport, and take part in activities. It’s something the whole community can be proud of.”

In 2019, the team completed work on the Hiltingbury Pavilion, transforming it into a modern sports and recreation hub.

As a trustee, Mike remains involved in the running of the charity. “We meet about four times a year to look at how things are going – how we can improve, how to attract more people, how to make the centre even better for the community. We’ve always been hands-on. Even now, at nearly 90, I still like to get stuck in where I can. I’ve always been a get-up-and-go person.”

Mike was instrumental in helping organise events such as the Hiltingbury Extravaganza, which attracts around 10,000 visitors each year. Although he’s stepped back from some of those responsibilities in recent years, he remains proud of what’s been achieved.

Another original trustee of the Centre, David truly cherishes the role. “Becoming a trustee of the Hilt community centre is a rewarding way to make a tangible difference in your local area. Trustees play a vital role in shaping the vision and direction of the centre, ensuring it continues to serve the needs of the community effectively and sustainably.

The trustees bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and perspectives. Their guidance helps strengthen governance, secure funding, and ensure that resources are used wisely. Trustees also act as ambassadors, raising the profile of the centre and fostering valuable partnerships.

For the trustee, the role offers personal and professional growth. It provides an opportunity to develop leadership, strategic thinking, and teamwork skills while contributing to a cause that matters. Trustees gain satisfaction from seeing their decisions directly impact people’s lives, helping create a welcoming space where individuals and groups can connect, learn, and thrive.

In essence, being a trustee is a two-way exchange. The community benefits from strong leadership while trustees gain purpose, experience and the chance to put something back in a meaningful way.”

Today, The Hilt offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages – from Pilates, martial arts and dance classes to youth clubs, movie nights and social meetups like Welcome Wednesdays and Friendly Fridays.

“Those sessions are a lifeline for a lot of older residents. They get people out of the house, chatting, having a laugh. That’s what community is all about.”

Mike also values the ongoing support of Community First, particularly Jo Proctor, Community Engagement Coordinator in Eastleigh. “She’s a godsend. I met Jo about two years ago when I was still a Councillor. She chairs a meeting for community centre management in the borough, she’s organised, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. I go to her for advice all the time – things like ‘Can I do this?’ or ‘What’s the best way to handle that?’ She’s been brilliant.”

After nearly three decades, Mike, Richard, David and the team remain as committed as ever to their community.