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Town Council Agrees to Set Up Warm Bank Facility in Hailsham

Community, Council News & Services

James West Community Centre building exterior 

Hailsham Town Council has set up a warm bank at the James West Community Centre, a measure introduced to help those who cannot afford heating bills amid the rising cost-of-living crisis.

As several community groups have recently opened or are in the process of setting up new up warm banks in the Hailsham area where members of the community can access and keep themselves warm for a few hours during the day, the town council’s Warm Bank Sub-Committee voted unanimously to provide a warm shelter for its residents.

The Town Council’s warm bank, situated in Meeting Room 1 at the James West Community Centre in Brunel Drive will be open from 10am to noon on Saturdays and Sundays from December through to February. Everyone struggling with keeping warm at home and paying their energy bills are welcome to attend. Hot drinks will be available and people attending are encouraged to bring board games, books, etc with them.

Other warm banks already operating in the town include those at the Charles Hunt Centre and Square Youth Cafe, details of which will be available on the Town Council website soon.

Town Clerk John Harrison said: We’re all concerned about the town’s residents and what cost-of-living issues many might face this winter. Warm banks or warm hubs are now becoming widespread everywhere, with a lot of councils, including those at parish level, opening them because it is necessary in many cases.”

“Local community groups and voluntary associations have always been quick to respond to the needs of the people of our town and this has further been demonstrated by the Town Council’s provision of its own warm bank at the James West Community Centre during the winter months ahead. Whilst warm banks are not the only solution to helping people affected by the cost-of-living crisis keep warm, they certainly can help.”

“The Town Council’s recent discussions concerning warm banks in Hailsham have been both necessary and highly productive, and we will continue to do everything we can right to try and protect our residents.”

Cllr Anne Marie Ricketts, who sits on the Warm Bank Sub-Committee commented: “Warmth, shelter and community connections are all basic human needs and meeting those needs is what all councils should provide where possible, as essential to human dignity for all its residents.”

“I’m delighted that the sub-committee has agreed to one of the James West Community Centre meeting rooms to be used for this purpose, to offer a haven and warm location for people to come and sit, have a hot drink and chat to other people. Once again, this demonstrates the Town Council’s commitment to residents and willingness to support them as much as it can during crises such as these.


Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk