Disabled access to clubhouse at Neath Athletic RFC

Aim

To provide access to the first floor of the clubhouse by installing a lift suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility issues

The aim of our project is to provide suitable disabled access to Neath Athletic clubhouse which is situated on the first floor. We hope to achieve this by providing a lift which is also suitable for wheelchair user and for visitors with mobility issues. Our club actively encourages EDI (Equality; Diversity and Inclusion) and this project will allow us to proudly provide a club for all. With an ageing and disabled membership and local community groups using (and looking to use) our club house facilities; a lift to provide access for all users will have a huge impact on the future sustainability of our club and the sustainability of other groups within the community of Neath and its area that use and would like to use our venue.

This project will allow the club and its building to continue to grow for years to come and allow the community access to facilities it otherwise may not have.

Our proposed project is a result of community groups in the Neath Town area looking for venues to hold events/meetings. We have had numerous clubs and groups enquire about using our clubhouse; but most have had concerns regarding access for some of there members. We provide club events which we advertise on our Facebook page; Website and via banners throughout Neath and advertise that our venue is available for hire and use for those looking for a venue. From our feedback it is evident that the community of Neath would like to use the clubhouse as a venue due to is locality, ample parking facilities, affordability, if access was addressed. 

 Our older and disabled club visitors struggle to join club events due to poor access to the first floor clubhouse; we have to arrange in advance early access to the club and carry wheelchairs up the stairs; the feedback from our membership and visitors is this is not acceptable and needs addressing.

The project proposed will allow our clubhouse to be used within the community on a regular basis. At present access for the elderly and disabled is restricted due to the two sets of stairs to get to our clubhouse. There is a lack of affordable venues in the community of Neath. We offer our facilities at no cost other than the price of cleaning. Funerals; Birthdays; Clubs; Social groups use our clubhouse; however difficult access is an issue for most group events and this project will help us overcome the problem and provide more people and groups within the community with an alternative and cheap venue. Our Pensioners group; Ukulele club ; Local Football club meetings; Band practice ; Walking Rugby Team are finding membership numbers going down due to access. These community groups are vital as they provide support; good mental health and wellbeing to the people in Neath.

We are asking members ,friends and the community of Neath to help us raise money through this funding page , so Neath Athletic can install a new lift within the clubhouse so access can be improved for members, visitors and public.

This project successfully funded on 22nd October 2024