Central to the works has been the creation of a Changing Places facility that includes an electric hoist, a changing bench and height adjustable wash hand basin. Funded by Kent County Council’s The Good Day Programme, the facilities will open up the leisure centre to local residents and visitors with disabilities.
The centre, which is owned by Sevenoaks District Council and operated by Sencio Community Leisure, has also created a space for use by adults with learning disabilities.
The newly refurbished community room will be available to Sevenoaks Day Service during weekday business hours and will enable access to a range of activities both within the leisure centre and across the Sevenoaks area. Other community groups will be able to use the room in the evenings and at weekends.
Councillor Graham Gibbens, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and public health, says: “I am delighted to see such a vibrant community resource as Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is ensuring its services are available to the whole community.
“These new facilities will offer an enhanced experience for local people with disabilities and support for carers, as well opening up social, recreational, learning and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.”
The programme of improvements took six months to complete and is part of an ongoing remit to ensure Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is able to serve the local community as inclusively and successfully as possible.
The work has been undertaken in conjunction with nationally recognised criteria and in line with the Changing Places consortium - a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to access their community.
Councillor Peter Fleming, leader of Sevenoaks District Council, says: “One of the most important things about Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is that whilst it is there to provide a range of sporting and fitness opportunities it also has a fine reputation for its work in embracing the wider community, specifically those with physical and learning disabilities.
“I congratulate all involved in delivering this important programme of works and look forward to seeing the centre bursting with activity and with many new inspired and engaged users in the months ahead.”