Calls for permanent site for first aid centre

The portable cabin has no electricity, hot water or heating

A permanent site is needed for a seaside first aid centre that has "outgrown" its premises, according to volunteers who help run it.

Hornsea First Aid Centre is housed in a portable cabin in Tesco's car park.

It was set up in 2018, with help from St Nicholas' Church, after the town's minor injury unit closed.

But now the team are looking for more suitable premises in order to continue the service.

Chairperson Rosie Bullard says conditions are far from ideal in the current premises

A team of 30 volunteers are on hand throughout the year, carry out minor, non invasive treatments.

Up to 10 people are treated at the centre each day, although chairperson Rosie Bullard said numbers treble during the summer with the arrival of day-trippers and holiday-makers.

However, the cabin does not have heating, electricity or water, which is having its toll on volunteers, many whom are elderly, said Ms Bullard.

"In the winter it's cold and miserable... and you bring your hot water bottle with you to keep warm."

Ms Bullard, also a founding trustee, added: “We've outgrown it. We need somewhere bigger."

'Just too cold'

June Greensmith, another trustee and volunteer, agreed.

She said the centre was a “fantastic facility” but that space inside the building was limited and told of "freezing" conditions endured by volunteers in winter.

She added: "We found that many of the older volunteers can’t come because it’s just too cold. Some bring a hot water bottle, some don’t, some manage.

"It can be very, very hard when the winter comes along. We found that many of the older volunteers can't come because it's just too cold."

The volunteers were looking into the possibility of moving into an unused resource centre owned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

A council spokesperson said: "The council had been exploring opportunities for this property, however it is now proceeding to seek expressions of interest for the rental or sale of the property and is looking to invite offers in the autumn.

“The group operating the first aid centre has been kept informed of this process and it will have the opportunity to submit a bid and their proposals for the building as part of this process.”

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