New ramp provides better access to Wrexham mental health and wellbeing charity

Work has been completed on a new ramp to help provide better access to a building used for community activities and services.

The building, is owned by local mental health and wellbeing charity Advance Brighter Futures (ABF). The new ramp is the first step in making the facility more accessible for people with a mobility or physical difficulty.

As well as ABF’s support services the building, on Belmont Road, is used for various activities, including hearing tests, counselling, training, support groups and employability courses.

The ramp, which has a non-slip surface, was co-funded by The Williams Family Foundation, which provides grants to local registered charities that are really making a difference to people’s lives, and The Screwfix Foundation, which supports projects to improve community facilities.

Both funders have previously supported ABF on other projects, and the charity is very thankful for this valued support.

Lorrisa Roberts, chief pfficer at Advance Brighter Futures, said: “We are so grateful to The Williams Family Foundation and The Screwfix Foundation for providing this important funding for the new ramp, which will go a long way in helping us to accommodate every visitor to the building. The previous ramp was outdated and poorly designed, so we’ve seen a massive improvement.

“Visiting a community project, such as ours, can be difficult for people in many different ways, but having the new ramp will break down any barrier of restricted mobility.

“We’ve also deliberately positioned it to enable us to provide additional parking, including spaces specifically for blue badge holders.

“It’s a clear sign for all our visitors that we strive to have no obstacles when it comes to accessing our services and community rooms.”

The charity usually bases its team of 14 staff and 20+ volunteers within the building to directly support people with their mental health and wellbeing, although due to current restrictions staff have been working remotely.

Lorrisa added: “Although we haven’t been able to use the building much over past months, we’ve looked at it as an opportunity to make significant changes to it, so that when we can fully reopen our services, we will be in a much better position to accommodate everyone.

“We intend to tarmac our car park next to create much improved, suitable parking facilities once we have secured further funding. This will be another important step in breaking down any barriers which could prevent people from using our services.”

To find out more about ABF’s services visit www.advancebrighterfutureswrexham.co.uk