The access to Headway Guernsey’s premises at KGV has been transformed through the generosity of three companies who worked together on the recently completed waste transfer station at Longue Hougue.
Headway is a local charity which supports islanders and runs services following serious brain injury such as stroke, trauma, brain infections and brain tumour. It is totally funded by charitable contributions and its services are provided free-of-charge without any States funding.
The area in front of Headway’s premises was previously an unsurfaced roadway with sloping uneven ground. Many of Headway’s users suffer from severely reduced mobility because of their brain injuries so this made it challenging and potentially a barrier to people gaining access to the services provided by the volunteer-run organisation. Access was particularly problematic in the winter due to the rough, puddled surface.
The £50k project carried out by Geomarine, Ronez and Wood provides uninterrupted level access and disabled parking immediately in front of Headway’s premises. Works involved re-profiling the ground, laying new drainage and tarmac and line painting three new disabled parking spaces.
The initiative came about through the desire of the three companies to leave a positive community legacy and to mark the successful completion of their partnership on the waste project. Wood, a large multinational engineering company headquartered in the UK, wished to give something back to the community following their work in Guernsey while local companies Geomarine and Ronez’s involvement is part of their long-standing support of bailiwick charities and organisations.
The project is a fabulous example of a community partnership project helping to make Headway’s facilities disability-friendly and accessible for all. These improvements form part of the wider programme of work being carried out to modernise and upgrade KGV as a first-class sporting and community hub.