Windsor Housing’s redevelopment of Headway House at North Road in Guildford was an exciting community regeneration project, focussing on two key developments. In less than 12 months, the ambition was realised by completing building work on a variety of new affordable homes and improved facilities for an extremely worthy head injury charity, Headway Surrey.
Working in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, who part own the land along with the charity, Radian secured a long-term lease in order to build a modern and energy efficient environment. At the heart of this project was the redevelopment of Headway House, a modern resource centre for Headway Surrey.
Windsor Housing’s redevelopment of Headway House at North Road in Guildford was an exciting community regeneration project, focussing on two key developments. In less than 12 months, the ambition was realised by completing building work on a variety of new affordable homes and improved facilities for an extremely worthy head injury charity, Headway Surrey.
Working in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, who part own the land along with the charity, Radian secured a long-term lease in order to build a modern and energy efficient environment. At the heart of this project was the redevelopment of Headway House, a modern resource centre for Headway Surrey.
Headway is a charity which supports people who have suffered head injuries, their families and carers. The Surrey based charity promotes understanding of the implications of a head injury and offers support and guidance, working towards rehabilitation back into the community. The new centre layout has been custom built to the needs and requirements of the charity, including an automatic door entry system that benefits clients as it gives them the freedom to come and go as they please without being restricted. The building accommodates their main office and a base for Community Support Co-ordinators; it also features a day facility, where individuals can visit to re-learn skills and re-adjust to life after a head injury.
Within the North Road site there are ten brand new residential properties, including four rental apartments and six two-storey houses for shared ownership. Building contractor, Croudace Homes Group, ensured each property was finished to a high specification to accommodate new residents.
Site Manager of Croudace, John Fitzpatrick, was so inspired and encouraged by Headway Surrey and all the good work they do, he nominated the charity as their ‘Captain’s Charity of the Year’ at the Clandon Regis Golf Club. As a keen golfer and committed club captain, John gathered support from his fellow ladies captain, Gill Beaton, and other club members to support the charity, raising more than £10,000. They have organised a series of events throughout the year to support all the fantastic work the charity continues to do.
Funding has enabled the introduction of some exciting additional elements. One of the four affordable rented flats has been adapted with wheelchair accessibility throughout, to improve the standard of living for the occupier. This includes having a level access wet room, wider doorways and adjustable kitchen drawers and a ramp at the entrance. Another exciting feature is that all the houses have solar roof panels; a valuable installation which is not only more favourable to the environment but helps keep electricity costs low for residents. So economically-friendly, we were successful in being awarded half of the installation costs for the solar panels under the Government’s Low Carbon Building programme initiative.
The regeneration has been a welcome boost to community spirit, offering affordable housing in safe and comfortable surroundings, whilst also giving something back to the community, helping people who are directly affected by injury, or those who provide valuable care and support.