Waterhaven Place, a luxury care home in Chichester, has opened its communal, air‑conditioned areas to anyone in the community seeking relief from the recent heatwave. The initiative, run as part of the Connaught Care Collection’s group-wide “Cool Space” scheme, offers refreshments, comfortable seating and access to facilities for local people who are struggling to keep cool at home.
Practical refuge for residents and neighbours
Staff at Waterhaven Place say the offer is intended as a practical response to rising temperatures that pose a particular risk to vulnerable people. Since opening, the Cool Space has welcomed a range of visitors from across Chichester, including families with young children, local community wardens, district nurses and older people.
“When temperatures began to rise this summer, opening our doors to the community felt like a natural way to help. Everyone here at Waterhaven Place has a relative, friend or neighbour who was struggling to stay safe and comfortable in the heat,”
The comment came from Cheryl Tyson, Customer Relationship Manager at Waterhaven Place, who was interviewed about the scheme on Good Morning Britain.
How the idea took shape
The initial suggestion came after a community warden praised the home’s air‑conditioned space following visits to people suffering at home. Cheryl Tyson shared the idea on Facebook and the model was then rolled out across the group’s six homes.
- Who can visit: any local person needing to escape extreme heat.
- Facilities on offer: air‑conditioning, comfortable seating, cold drinks and communal company.
- Partners: visitors have included community wardens and district nurses linking vulnerable people to support.
Wider context — an exceptional run of hot months
The Cool Space initiative follows a prolonged period of high temperatures nationally. According to reporting on the scheme, temperatures of 35°C or higher were recorded in May, June and July 2026, the first time three consecutive months have reached such levels in the records.
| Month | Recorded temperature |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | >= 35°C |
| June 2026 | >= 35°C |
| July 2026 | >= 35°C |
For many in Chichester, particularly older people and those with health conditions, access to a cool, shaded environment can be lifesaving. Staff at Waterhaven Place say the home already had many of the practical elements people needed: air‑conditioning, plentiful cold drinks and a welcoming community of residents and carers.
Local ripple effects
Opening the home to the public also brings social benefits. Inviting neighbours in to sit, have a drink and get to know residents can help reduce isolation and build informal support networks that may prove valuable beyond the heatwave itself. The scheme has attracted media attention and was featured on a national morning programme, highlighting how local resources can be used creatively in a public‑health emergency.
Waterhaven Place’s approach may offer a template for other community organisations in Chichester and across West Sussex: by pooling existing facilities and staff goodwill, public and voluntary bodies can create low‑barrier refuges during periods of extreme weather.
Anyone in Chichester seeking to use the Cool Space at Waterhaven Place should contact the home directly to check opening times and availability.
