Rebranded as Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing, the centre is re-open to the community and saved as a community asset thanks to a huge cross-community effort and a great partnership between Wave Active and South Downs Health and Care - wahoo!
After the University of Brighton announced they were withdrawing from Eastbourne and many local residents, Meads Community Association and SOMS spoke up to campaign to protect the centre, I was keen to do my bit to hunt for a potential operator to take over the site.
I knew South Downs Health and Care’s innovative CEO, Dr Nick Harvey, from my days as a Covid vaccinator (SDHC ran the Sovereign vaccination centres) and spoke with him about the prospect of SDHC saving the site.
Nick was super keen to explore this, so I connected him with Eastbourne Borough Council in May 2023 to scope it out (see my quick email!). EBC Leader Steve Holt and CEO Rob supported Nick and Wave Active to work on a joint bid to take on the site from the University.
They succeeded and an exciting partnership was born!
Well done to Nick from SDHC and Duncan from Wave Active for leading this effort, to EBC for helping to facilitate and to residents and community groups (especially in Meads) for helping to make this all happen. Delighted to play my part too!
In pic alongside me: Dr Nick Harvey (SHDC), Duncan Kerr (Wave Leisure) and Cllr Stephen Holt (EBC)