Autumn completion for £4million Hartlepool disabled centre

A £4million centre to support disabled people is on course for completion in the autumn.
The new Centre for Independent Living in Hartlepool.The new Centre for Independent Living in Hartlepool.
The new Centre for Independent Living in Hartlepool.

Work on the new Centre for Independent Living (CIL) in the Burbank area of Hartlepool has been hit by the recent wet weather.

But Hartlepool Borough Council officials say the building is due to be finished in the autumn.

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Talks have been taking place in recent months with users of disabled services that will transfer into the CIL as well as staff and service providers.

Services from the existing Havelock Centre and Warren Road facility at Oakesway will come together under the new roof.

It will provide a range of day opportunities for people with learning or physical disabilities and aims to generate income by leasing office space to local organisations.

A number of services and organisations have confirmed they plan to move to the new CIL to help promote users’ independence.

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They include disabled persons user led organisation Incontrollable, Thirteen Housing’s Telecare call monitoring, Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust’s learning disability services, Durham County Council Occupational Health services and health and social care services provider My Life Ltd.

Additional space and equipment will be made available at the new CIL to meet the needs of an increasing number of people with complex physical needs, including a new hydrotherapy suite, improved changing facilities, rebound therapy and a relaxation suite.

Councillor Stephen Thomas, chair of the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “I think this really does represent a fantastic facility and real enhancement to the facilities that Hartlepool has.”

Handprints Arts, currently based at Surtees Street, is also due to move to the new building when its lease comes to an end in November.

The centre will also continue to be used as a venue for a number of Adult Education and Child & Adult courses.