Serving the whole community
CARILLON COTTAGE
01892 785 658
Open Mondays to Saturdays 09:30 - 12:30
Serving You
From the Cottage Drop in Centre to the Driving Service, there are many ways that we can support you.
Cottage Drop In Centre
Carillon Cottage is a community information and assistance hub in Wadhurst High Street. Open every morning Monday – Saturday, residents and visitors are welcome to drop in for free-of-charge general advice and practical help. You can call in for a chat, a rest on your way home or simply to use our washroom facilities. Whatever the need, you will always be welcome in the Cottage. Open since 2001, we are an organisation that likes to say ‘Yes’ and it’s amazing what our volunteers can do!
Driving Service
If you find it difficult to get out and about and do not have family, friends or neighbours to help, we have two teams of DBS-checked volunteer drivers.
The local team will pick you up and take you to medical appointments and other ‘wellbeing’ places in Wadhurst such as the shops and hairdresser.
The long-distance team will take you to hospitals in Pembury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead and surrounding areas. There is no charge for this service, but donations are encouraged.
Warm Welcome
Every Monday between 12.30 and 2.30 pm (excl Bank Holidays) our comfortable lounge is open to anyone who cares to drop in. Complete with easy chairs, kitchen and ‘rest room’ facilities we offer visitors a home-from-home where they can put their feet up and relax. Several of our volunteers will be on hand to provide tea, coffee and light refreshments. And, of course, a Warm Welcome! So come in; we are looking forward to seeing you!
NHS Hearing and Support
If you have NHS hearing aids, we can supply you with free-of-charge battery replacement on production of your brown book. For more complex maintenance such as cleaning and replacement of some small parts you will need our hearing aid support service on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Call the Cottage on 01892 785658 to make an appointment or turn up on the day.
Wheelchair Hire
You can hire a wheelchair from us for just a day or up to a month. Serviced annually, our wheelchairs are ideal if you have a visitor with limited mobility, or are delivering someone to hospital or taking them on a day trip. Our wheelchairs are relatively light-weight and can be stowed in most car boots. There is a hire charge of £5 per week. Less than a week, we ask for a donation.
Photocopying and Laminating
Used by a variety of local organisations as well as individual visitors, our state-of-the-art photocopier provides high quality black & white and full colour repro on a cost-by-page basis. Laminate your A3 and A4 posters!
Jigsaw Library
A very popular service that’s proven to help mental wellbeing. Borrow any of our dozens of donated jigsaws for just 50p each. From 500 – 2000 pieces, these jigsaws will see you through the darkest Sussex winter or the longest summer day.
CAB/Anti-Scam Advice
Postal, phone, doorstep and online scams are all-too familiar. Would you recognise a scam if you were targeted? On the 3rd Friday of every month 10 am – 12 pm we have an advice surgery provided by an Age UK Scams Officer who will advise you on how to recognise and avoid the latest scammers. She can also provide advice on Civil Rights, Citizens Advice, Benefit Advice, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. Call the Cottage on 01892 785658 to make an appointment or turn up on the day.
Ticket Sales
Where advertised, we sell tickets for several local events. Cash, card or cheque payments are taken. If you are wanting to get your tickets out there, sell them through the Cottage.
Foodbank and Recycling
The Cottage acts as a charity hub. Currently we have a Nourish foodbank collection point needing tinned foods, cereals, toiletries and pet food. Bring us your trimmed, used stamps; they will be exchanged for cash by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. And used inkjet cartridges are worth up to £2 each to Hospice in the Weald. Bring them unwrapped to the Cottage. Even the humble bottle tops on plastic milk bottles raise money for children’s charity Chestnut Tree House.
Lavatory and Baby Changing Facilities
Speaks for itself! We are here for your comfort and safety.