Home   Folkestone   News   Article

Charity Headway is in a race against time to find a more suitable premises

A charity that helps people with head injuries is looking for a larger premises – and it has under a month to complete its search.

Headway, which has three east Kent bases in Folkestone, Dover and Ashford, is open four days a week and allows its clients to socialise and get involved with confidence-building activities.

The Folkestone centre, in Pleydell Gardens, has “outgrown” its small space and is looking for somewhere which will provide it with an extra therapy room and that has easy access on one level.

Scroll down for video

Day Centre manager Paula Brown at Headway east Kent, Picture: Gary Browne
Day Centre manager Paula Brown at Headway east Kent, Picture: Gary Browne

Part of the reason is because of the increase of people using the services, and the centre can take up to 13 people a day.

If nowhere else suitable is found by the middle of next month, Headway will be forced to renew the lease to the current building which ties it in for an additional two years.

Paula Brown, the area manager, said: “We have outgrown this space and we need something a bit more modern.

Assistant facilitator Nina Milton helping Sarah Walker with some craft-work. Picture: Gary Browne
Assistant facilitator Nina Milton helping Sarah Walker with some craft-work. Picture: Gary Browne

“We need a bit more room for counselling or therapy.

“This building is old, it once was a dance studio.

“If we renew the lease it means we are here for another two years, but we needed this move two years ago.”

The centre also suffers from having a small and narrow road which is often used as a shortcut for motorists avoiding the high street’s traffic.

Cars struggle to get past the ramp which is put out for people who come in on wheelchairs to get in and out of the centre.

Liz Hatfield, the day centre facilitator, said: “The step is quite tall so for some of them it is essential that they walk down the ramp.

“It slows the traffic down as people cut through.

Day Centre facilitator Liz Hatfield and Colin Hindson enjoy a game of dominoes. Picture: Gary Browne
Day Centre facilitator Liz Hatfield and Colin Hindson enjoy a game of dominoes. Picture: Gary Browne

“There is nowhere we can take clients when they are upset, some of them struggle with noise.

“It is nice to come together at lunch times but it is nice to be able to have separate rooms for sport tasks.”

The centre is happy to relocate in Folkestone or Hythe, but considers the Romney Marsh too far out.

Anyone with suggestions of a new home for the charity should give the office a call on 01303 850881 or email headwayek.dcm@hotmail.co.uk.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More