Clifton Centre launches Crowdfunder for new lift

The Clifton Centre, as Southwater Area Community Centre has renamed itself, has just launched a Crowdfunder in support of its project to install a new lift. The centre recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary. HOT’s Nick Terdre, a trustee of the centre, reports.

Clifton Centre, which provides meeting rooms and offices in its premises on the north side of St Leonards Warrior Square station, emerged from the lockdown with a renewed sense of purpose and under a new name. But although it secured grants for a thorough refurbishment of its facilities, one vital element is missing – a new lift to provide access to the upper floor for wheelchair users and others with restricted mobility, parents with prams, people bringing in heavy equipment – in short for everyone involved in activities at the centre.

“We urgently need a new lift, hence the Crowdfunder,” Cllr Nigel Sinden, deputy chair of trustees, told guests at a recent gathering to celebrate the centre’s 20^th anniversary. “It will cost about £25,000.”

However the call on the community is not as much – East Sussex County Council’s Community Wellbeing Fund will match contributions up to £5,000 – it has already pledged to donate £500.

Rewards

Contributors to the Crowdfunder are offered various enticing rewards by local businesses and practitioners, including discounts on food purchases at various cafes and food outlets, on services such as massage and haircuts, and on products and artworks from local makers.

Regular updates on the progress of fund-raising will be provided on the Crowdfunder page and shared with donors via email and with the wider community on Facebook. Businesses and sole traders offering rewards will be highlighted and tagged once their reward has been claimed.

Video

The Crowdfunder page features a video with Clifton Centre stalwarts explaining why the new lift is needed. They include disability activists Penny Pepper and Theresa Hodge of Hastings Access to Venues and Events, who have a studio on the ground floor, Kevin Towner, a trustee and wheelchair user, and Cllr Nigel Sinden, the vice chair of trustees.

In May, under its old name of Southwater Area Community Centre (which is still its official charity name), the centre celebrated 20 years of serving the community with a gathering hosted by the chair of trustees Cllr Peter Pragnell and attended by MP Sally-Ann Hart, former MP Michael Foster, who inaugurated the centre in 2002, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Jane King and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, Sarah Kowitz, as well as many users and supporters.

Wide range of activities

With about 400 people using its facilities weekly, the centre is home to a wide range of activities , including language classes, education for elderly people, art workshops and drawing classes, self-help groups, music therapy, faith groups, theatre rehearsals, children’s holiday clubs and many more.

Housed in what used to be the local hostelry, the Clifton Tavern, the centre decided this year to revive the old name. Having successfully navigated the difficulties of the lockdown era, it is looking firmly to the future – a new 25-year lease has been signed with Hastings Borough Council, the owner of the premises, and these have been painted a striking shade of pink overlaid with wildlife motifs.

Securing the funds for a new lift will complete the preparation of the centre for another 20 years of serving the community.

 

You can read all about the Clifton Centre Crowdfunder and make a donation here.

 

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