Accessible Washroom Available for the Community to Hire at the James West Centre

Hailsham Town Council is pleased to announce that an accessible washroom at the James West Community Centre is now available for public hire, providing an additional facility to support people with accessibility requirements across Hailsham and the surrounding area.

Available for just £8 per session, the washroom can be booked as a stand-alone facility, without the need to hire the Centre’s main hall or meeting rooms. It can also be incorporated into an existing venue booking, offering greater flexibility for community groups, organisations and individuals.

The facility is intended to provide practical support for people who may otherwise find it difficult to access suitable facilities when away from home. In particular, it offers an additional resource for members of the community who wish to continue living independently in their own homes but require access to accessible washing and toilet facilities when out and about.

The availability of the washroom reflects Hailsham Town Council’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and ensuring that its community facilities respond to the differing needs of local residents.

Tony Lee, Operations and Facilities Manager at Hailsham Town Council, said: “We are particularly pleased to be able to make this facility available as a standalone resource, as we recognise that not everyone who needs access to an accessible washroom will necessarily want or need to hire the wider facilities at the Centre.”

“We hope this will provide a valuable additional option for people in Hailsham and the surrounding communities, particularly those who are managing to remain in their own homes and maintain their independence but may find accessing suitable facilities when out of the house more challenging.”

“Having somewhere that can be booked specifically for this purpose, at a modest cost of £8 per session, could make a meaningful difference to individuals and their families. It is also available as part of a wider booking for the main hall or other facilities, so hirers can choose the arrangement that best meets their requirements. We would encourage anyone who could benefit from the facility to get in touch with the Centre team to discuss their needs.”

Cllr Dave Chapman, Chair of the Assets Management Committee, commented: “Ensuring that our community buildings remain accessible, well-maintained and fit for purpose is an important part of the Council’s responsibility as a provider of local facilities.”

“The James West Community Centre serves a wide cross-section of our community, and we want to ensure that people of all abilities feel comfortable using the building and participating in the activities and events that take place there.”

“This latest improvement demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to investing in its facilities and responding to the needs of those who use them. We hope the availability of the accessible washroom will provide greater reassurance and convenience for hirers and their visitors.”

Kirsten Fernforth, Joint Manager of the James West Community Centre, added: “We want everyone who comes through the doors of the Centre to feel welcome and able to enjoy their time here. Having an accessible washroom available for hirers is a valuable addition to our facilities and gives groups greater flexibility when organising their sessions and events.”

“We cater for a wide variety of people and activities, from children’s groups and exercise classes to community meetings, social gatherings and private celebrations. Making sure that our facilities can accommodate different requirements is really important to us, and we hope this new provision will encourage even more people to make use of the Centre.”

“We would encourage prospective hirers to speak to us about their requirements when making a booking, so that we can help ensure the appropriate facilities are available for their visit.”

For further information, to discuss individual requirements or to arrange a booking, contact the James West Community Centre team on 07761 913928 or email jameswestcentre@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.