1st Knutsford Scout Headquarters Improved Accessibility

The Pitch

Problem statement

1st Knutsford Scouts have built a new headquarters, not just used by our Beaver, Cub and Scout troops, but also by the wider Knutsford community. The priority for the headquarters was to get the inside finished and ready for use, which has now been achieved. However, delays and the raw material price increases to the interior works mean that we now need some help finishing off the exterior. The site is uneven which means that access, especially for wheelchair users, other disabilities and children’s buggies is far from ideal.

Solution

The site needs to be cleared and levelled and a distinct and accessible pathway created from the street up to the entrance door. Once across the threshold the interior of the headquarters is entirely accessible for all users regardless of their needs.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We are central to the town centre, we will be fully accessible in terms of disabled facilities, there is parking nearby and there is no other venue in Knutsford that is big enough for large group activities. We have had a headquarters down on the Moor for over 100 years but this is the first time we will have a facility that is of a high enough quality and calibre to be used by the entire town. We are very proud of what we are creating. A marketing company in Knutsford is creating our website and booking system for us and we intend to rent the space at fair rates so that the cost is not prohibitive to any organisation or group that wishes to use the facilities.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

350 people

Expected impact

We currently have 3 troops that use the headquarters 2 nights a week. Our intention is that the headquarters will be used by the wider Knutsford community 7 days a week, day and evening. We already have registered interest from the WI, a Girlguiding unit, a school tutor, a yoga class, a badminton group, a mums and babies fitness class and several clients asking about function hire. As we will be using bookings to help with the running costs we have set ourselves a target to have 50% occupancy within 3-6 months. The enquiries we have taken so far make us feel very confident that we are being realistic. We would then expect to be fully booked within the year.

Track record

We have worked closely with a number of groups and organisations to fund where we have got to so far. As part of this process we have been delighted to work with Amey and Sir Robert McAlpine previously who have a strong track record of working with local organisations on community projects and we welcome their knowledge and expertise. We have benefitted once from their involvement and were awarded a grant of £3000 in order to buy chairs, tables and catering equipment for the headquarters. We are keen to have a long term relationship with both organisations as they have been so supportive in the past that what we have built has a strong community ethos which fits in with their own company values.