(Image: Supplied)
A North East community centre is halfway towards its fundraising target for a refurbishment project aimed at improving accessibility, with support from a regional business.
Meadow Well Connected, based in North Tyneside, has raised £6,000 of its £12,000 target to upgrade its reception area, including a £2,000 grant from the Banks Community Fund.
The planned improvements will make the space more accessible and welcoming for all visitors, including those with disabilities or additional needs.
Karyn Ainsley, chief officer at Meadow Well Connected, said: "Reception is naturally the first point of contact for our services and the experience that our visitors have there is key to creating the impression they get of who we are, what we do and how they’ll be looked after while they’re here.
"The building hasn’t had a great deal of work done to it since it first opened and it’s been increasingly clear that we needed to improve the reception area to make sure we have the facilities for all of our visitors.
"The work we have planned will make a massive difference to the centre’s environment and will mean we’re able to give the right sort of welcome to everyone who comes through our doors."
The refurbishment will include replacing the current reception desk with a single-height, wheelchair-accessible counter with a curved design to improve navigation and interaction.
Non-slip vinyl flooring will be installed throughout the area to improve safety and mobility.
Walls, doors, and door frames will be repainted in three contrasting colours to support people with visual impairments.
Ms Ainsley said: "This project represents a substantial and costly undertaking for a small community organisation like us, but we’ve had a great response to our fundraising campaign so far.
"Getting this sort of lump sum from the Banks Group is a real boost and will really help us build momentum towards achieving our final goal."
Meadow Well Connected has been serving the community since 1994 and offers a wide range of services and activities for people of all ages.
These include after-school and holiday clubs, sensory play sessions, dance classes, and adult day care services.
The centre also runs a community café, a free-to-use IT suite, and a 3.5-acre community garden with beehives, a wildlife pond, and areas for growing organic fruit and vegetables.
Around 40 volunteers help deliver services such as employability support, joinery workshops, guitar building, and assistance for people facing food, fuel, and digital insecurity.
Read more
Council outlines £19.5m plan to regenerate 'disadvantaged' Darlington communities
County Durham groups invited to bid for share of £50,000 community fund
‘Charming’ village 40 minutes from Darlington once named among best places to live
Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: "Meadow Well Connected is at the very heart of its community and provides a wide range of opportunities which might otherwise remain out of reach to local people.
"We’re very glad to be able to get behind this important fundraising campaign and look forward to seeing the plans for its new reception being realised by the end of the year."
The centre hopes to raise the remaining funds in time to complete the refurbishment for a Christmas opening.