On 19 Apr 2018 at 5:01am Turkish Baths news wrote:
What we're doing:
We are grateful to our local Lewes District Council, who have supported a residents' petition to maintain the former Turkish Baths as a Community Centre for all.
There is a great need for a Centre like this in Lewes, with a thriving community passionate about Yoga, the Arts, Health & Wellness.
The Unity Centre will offer a diverse range of classes, training, therapies, gatherings, events and retreats for the extensive range of needs within our wonderful community.
It is an inclusive project, which will reach out to the general public, ensuring that those from vulnerable and marginalised groups are equally welcomed and supported.
Unity is a successful business, established in 1998, with an existing Brighton based studio.
Did you know..?
Did you know that funding to all community services in East Sussex is going to be cut by £17million over the next two years? This means an inevitable cut in NHS services for disadvantaged, disabled, younger and older people in our community.
As a result one in four of us could lose access to essential care and support!
By offering independent, holistic community therapies, treatments and classes, we will be able to contibute further options for care and support to people in our comunity.
The Unity vision
In early December 2017, we were delighted to hear that our proposal to lease the former Turkish Baths building on Friar Street in Lewes had been accepted!
This proposal is the result of 20 years of vast experience in the specific area of Yoga, Well-being & the Arts.
More than 2,000 people in Lewes voted for the well-known building to be a community space for the town, rather than a chain or large restaurant.
Jo Carter, Green MP for Lewes, initiated the petition inspired by the recent loss of a particularly artistic area and a growing need for accessible community spaces.
"I'm really pleased that the Unity Centre for Yoga, Wellbeing and the Arts has got the lease for the historic Turkish Baths. Hundreds of local people signed a petition I started that persuaded the council that this public building should be occupied by an organisation with 'social and community' value, not just another restaurant. I think Unity ticks all the boxes: they are really committed to running a program that is open to all from young to old, and they have great plans to offer pain relief, support and therapy especially to those who are disabled or suffering from long-term illnesses. I'm looking forward to seeing Unity bring the Turkish Baths back to life with yoga, martial arts, dance and something for everyone!"
With the Turkish Baths transformed into a not for profit organisation, CIC, we can offer a welcoming and inclusive hub for families, individuals, children, teens, the elderly, carers and community groups; including marginalised groups to gather, connect and receive care and support.
Unity currently operates from Unity Studio on Brighton’s Lewes Road, but due to descending steps into the studio, Sevanti had been searching for additional accessible premises for many years, to continue this work for those who have mobility challenges and extend the Unity family into Lewes.
This wonderful, iconic building was built in 1863 and originally offered hot and cold baths. The building was later used by the well-known ‘Clothkits’ business and over time, the Turkish Baths building has become of great local importance as many residents wish to see it used as a space in which we can enjoy together, a place where we can also welcome visitors from near and far to enjoy the well-placed building and our beautiful town.
Our Plans
We have drawn up plans for the former Turkish Baths to be converted into a large, light & spacious studio, therapies and treatment space.
The Unity Centre – Yoga, Wellbeing & The Arts, Lewes, will include the following:
Large Yoga Studio (for around 22 mats)
Second studio/community/art room
Two treatment rooms (Bodywork/Talking Therapies)
Sauna
Floatation tank
Small tea room / cafe
Shop & Gallery space
Our range of therapies, treatments, classes and courses will include:
Yoga
Meditation
Movement and dance
Martial arts
Massage, bodywork & healing
Music and voice work
Arts and crafts
Theatre, as expression therapy and performance
Retreats
We shall have an array of weekly classes and workshops, professional training courses and shall also offer weekend retreats.
Within these retreats, locals and visitors alike can immerse themselves in various classes and treatments to relax and restore. Those from further afield could potentially stay in various Lewes accommodation or just come to Lewes for the day and enjoy sightseeing in our beautiful town.
We will offer something for everyone: support, treatments, classes and events for children, families, individuals and the elderly. We want it to be a friendly hub, where people can relax and be together in a beautiful environment.
The Style
Unity founder, Sevanti has run Yoga retreats in SW Turkey since 1998 and will be incorporating some of the Eastern décor and a vintage, yet rich, relaxing and homely style. The design and layout will aim to celebrate the buildings original use.
We shall use recycled and natural materials as much as possible (we're looking forward to working with the Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project!) and are doing as much as we can with minimal environmental impact. We are committed to enabling local artists, brands and producers to present their works through the gallery and shop.
Who is ‘Unity’?
The Founder & Director of ‘Unity’, Sevanti, intends to open the Unity Centre as a Community Enterprise Company, with the intention that it is an accessible Centre welcoming and unifying a diverse range of people with a vast offering of holistic and artistic services.
Unity was established in 1998, by Director and founder, Sevanti, who has more than 20 years’ experience in Yoga, Massage, Dance and Healing.
The successful Unity Studio is based on Lewes Road in Brighton. Sevanti says, “I have always wanted to open a community centre, for as long as I can remember. It has felt like the natural progression after 20 years of experience in Yoga, Massage, Dance and Healing.
"I trained at the Laban Centre for Movement & Dance and became a Yoga Teacher, Massage & Reiki Practitioner back in 1998. Eventually I opened my own School, where I have been offering Professional Diplomas for 16 years (Yoga Teacher Training & Post Graduate Courses, Holistic Massage Training, Reiki Training, Unity Partner Yoga ™ Training).
"Still choreographing and performing where possible, I want to bring all of these passions including Dance to the Turkish Baths, as well as hosting others’ certified Diplomas in related fields.
"Due to descending steps into the Lewes Road studio in Brighton, I have been searching for additional accessible premises for many years, to continue this work for those who have mobility challenges.
"I have always wanted to ensure that I could also offer all of our services to the wider public, particularly those suffering from mental/emotional difficulties and mobility challenges. I also hope that we can offer some support to carers too."
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:11am Sara Yumimumi wrote:
How wonderful, and will your cafe be vegan? I can't wait.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:24am Emma Heart wrote:
This is wonderful. I haven't been able to find a yoga class anywhere. And the owner is qualified to teach Reiki. I'd feel very safe there. Like Sara I hope very much the restaurant is vegan and that the building work and materials are cruelty-free. Well done Lewes's Green MP.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:30am Maria Cauliflower wrote:
I think Jo Carter is a wonderful MP too.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:50am The Gardener wrote:
This sounds identical to what has just opened next to the Black Horse. I hope this town is big enough for the both of you. Yoga is massive here so maybe.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 8:04am Lewes Resident wrote:
Jo Carter is NOT a MP
On 19 Apr 2018 at 8:16am Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
This is wonderful news. I see so many people walking around town with their yoga mats tucked under their arms, looking for a yoga class to go to. It's clear that the yoga provision in Lewes is woefully inadequate.
And how fantastic that when we can't get an appointment with our doctors, have a 3 month wait for assessment with the mental health services and can't even get through to book an NHS physio appointment, we can just pop along to the Turkish Baths for some Reiki, a massage and a spot of drama therapy.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 8:35am Border Control wrote:
Meanwhile , back in the real world......
On 19 Apr 2018 at 8:58am Freak Alert wrote:
Will you be selling organic flapjack and Llama wool sweaters?
Maybe one of the rooms can be used for Pedro's pals to shoot themselves up and the beggars to have a break in between their scrounging for drug money.
Yep it's all looking good for freakyville...
On 19 Apr 2018 at 9:08am Sara Yumimumi wrote:
Why is everyone being so negative?Honestly, get a life, please.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 9:27am Madness wrote:
This is really cynical advertising. Set up a yoga and hippy pseudo-medicine place if you must, but don't claim that
'holistic community therapies, treatments and classes' are a substitute for healthcare for people who really need it, and don't pose as a social project to help the community when only a relatively small, well-off section of society is likely to use your place.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 10:04am Mark wrote:
The first sentence gives the game away. LDC have supported a petition in favour of a community centre. After this Unity Yoga is described in great detail - as if to suggest that the petition had been signed by loads of people clamouring for an absurd, vegan-friendly, yoga centre. "We are a successful business" is the second giveaway.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 10:33am Normal Lewesian wrote:
I am dumbfounded. Dfl paradise, sod all for normal people. Sounds like a recruiting centre for religious weirdos. Wtf is happening to Lewes??????????
On 19 Apr 2018 at 10:48am Crowd pleaser wrote:
I see this is currently being crowdfunded on line. For a £750 donation you can have a go in the flotation tank. Is this a preview of their prices?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 10:52am ClarifiedButler wrote:
How about a multi-use space for small businesses? Lose the hippy dippy claptrap, promote actual innovation and start giving young people the opportunity to develop skills.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 12:25pm Lewes resident wrote:
Why do they need to Crowdfund for a flotation Tank?
they are a Business they should purchase the tank with there own money.
Come into this Town and want the residents to supply their equipment.
go back to Brighton and stay there.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 12:42pm Realist wrote:
I think someone is being a tiny bit optimistic. £80k for full refurbishment, including new electrics, heating, plumbing and floors. And what about fitting out? Pffffff!
On 19 Apr 2018 at 12:49pm No Idea ! wrote:
What is happening to our town ?
A drop in centre for snowflakes ????
Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of pounds to refurbish it to make it leaseable in the first place.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 12:51pm Brixon Mortar wrote:
Would make a very nice dwelling.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 12:57pm emmjaycee wrote:
I am having difficulty finding Friar Street on my Satnav, is it anywhere near the Lewes Green Party MP’s constituency office?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 1:02pm Friars Walk wrote:
Unity talk the talk - can they walk the walk ?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 1:04pm endoftheouse wrote:
A Pit of Misery. "Silly Silly!"
On 19 Apr 2018 at 1:55pm @endoftheouse wrote:
Plenty if opportunity to beat a few people up for you?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 2:47pm Get yer truncheon out wrote:
in the changing rooms - endofetc.= Mr. Big.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 2:50pm Sceptical local wrote:
I am so pleased to see that the centre will be 'reaching out' to the community while 'ticking all the boxes'.
Presumably that means anyone on a 'journey' or looking for 'solutions' will be particularly welcome?
Has anyone 'run this idea up the flagpole', or has the 'heavy lifting' already been done, so that someone can 'now pick up the ball and run with it'.
Given the other misleading or downright incorrect information (Friar Street, Green MP for Lewes etc), how much of the remaining 'buzz-word bingo' claptrap can be trusted?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 3:30pm maud wrote:
I do hope they are paying a commercial competitive rent and that all of the refurbishment is being funded by their business or as it seems 'crowd funding', and none of it by the LDC. Very suspicious of CIC status. Can't this lead to very well paid directors? All together a very tricksy introduction - note the subliminal link to LDC 'approval'. There is total irony in the face of the proposed closure and sale of the Phoenix centre.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 4:06pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
"For a £750 donation you can have a go in the flotation tank."
£750????
(scuttles off to google "how to build a flotation tank")
On 19 Apr 2018 at 4:40pm Staying in wrote:
Can't be botheted reading all that. Will they sell coffee? We need a coffee shop in that area.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 5:36pm Gus wrote:
Time for some blue sky thinking. Is anyone pushing the envelope?
On 19 Apr 2018 at 5:44pm Citizen Smith wrote:
I just hope that this will be funded by those who use it. i am struggling to pay a mortgage and raise a family these days. I don't want a penny of my Council Tax to be funding this vanity project.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:17pm maud wrote:
LDC (and ESCC) now seem to be operating as fiefdoms rather than being servants to their public; they are effectively becoming property development companies in cahoots with their 'partners' Eastbourne and Surrey respectively.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 7:55pm Lewes resident wrote:
What a load of rubbish . The money should be put into social care for the elderly, not for the Luvies from Hamstead.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 8:17pm ivor wrote:
Why did we hear about this 'arrangement' from the flannel of those leasing the building rather than from Lewes District Council? I wonder whether the rest of the district and their particular needs were considered.
Incidentally while we're talking 'fiefdoms' surely the Town Council might just fit that description as well.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 9:56pm Local wrote:
Gotta be one of the better examples of trolling on here for a while.
Stephanie – eat your heart out.
On 19 Apr 2018 at 10:19pm Reality wrote:
So how does a tendor for the use of the space get approved when it needs to crowd fund to even get going? Ignore all the words, this has been awarded to a private business. I'm sorry but this is a publicly owned building and should create a commercial revenue from day one...if it isn't doing that then LDC have serious questions to answer when clearly revenue would benefit the whole community
On 19 Apr 2018 at 11:53pm Belle wrote:
this 'press release' is a nonsense. Naming Jo Carter as Green MP ? Are they idiots ? We all know Jo and the Greens like to take credit for any community initiative in the town and area (See Plastic free Lewes and Community Action Newhaven - both cross party and non party) , but this ridiculously overblown initiative is very obviously a commercial venture masquerading as a community venture. How dare they crowdfund whilst taking public money from the district council. Others rightly point out this is no substitute for a properly funded health, education and social care system. How dare they even try to convince people it can step into the breach of those cuts with a few yoga classes and art therapy sessions.
On 20 Apr 2018 at 6:10am Madame x wrote:
‘Turkish bath news’ have been misguided posting on here, always do your research! I for one am really looking forward to this ( call me what you will, snowflake, hippy dippy etc etc) and so will many many lewesians :-) xxx
On 20 Apr 2018 at 10:42am Department of the Bleeding Obvious wrote:
Meanwhile our local libraries are being closed to save pennies. If the councils can’t start providing facilities for everyday Lewesians then we should get a discount on the sky high council tax.