Rene Milton Hall Accessibility Project
Accessibility Project Overview
In April 2024 we were so pleased to learn that we had been successful in being awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for £184,000.
With this added to our own fundraising we were able to start our pre-build work at the hall in June 2024. It was estimated that the project will be completed by mid-October but having encountered early set backs, we were able to move back after 5 months, in November 2024.
We are grateful to Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford for providing us with an alternative location to continue providing our support groups and sessions during the work. As our working age group could not access Halsey Hall on a Saturday, they have enjoyed various activities including bowling, group walks and visiting Woodoaks Farm.
Scroll down for a summary of the progress over the 5 months of the project.
Thank you to everybody who has played their part in making this possible, including anybody who plays the National Lottery!
Accessibility Project Update 23rd November 2024
On the 23rd November, we were delighted to welcome all of our members back to the hall and enjoy a celebratory day.
At lunch time, we were joined by Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Lady Veralum and Helen Snowden from the National Lottery Community Fund. They jointly performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting in front of some of our members which was followed by a blessing of the building carried out by Fr Corniel of St John’s Church.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch before Lady Veralum and Helen were presented with flowers from our oldest and youngest members.
In the evening, we were joined by over 130 people, including members of their familes, neighbours, builders and those who have generously donated to the project.
Accessibility Project Update 18th November 2024
We’re finished! After 5 months of hard work, the hall is finally ready to welcome back our members.
The finishing touches include the intallation of the ramp & hand rails, the garden and all the internal fixtures and fittings.
The old small office has been transformed into a large welcoming space for members to enjoy hollistic treatments, private conversations or use our audio magnifier to read private correspondence.
The sky lights in the extended portion of the building create beautiful natural light in all areas and allow our members to navigate the building more easily.
Accessibility Project Update 26th October 2024
In the last month, the building has really progressed. All the internal walls are plastered, with their base coat of paint and all toilets/basins are installed.
The counters and storage cupboards under the basins are fitted and all the pipe work has been boxed in.
The rendering on the outside wall is now finished & ready for painting and the garden wall is under construction.
The next steps are to install the ramp, finish the internal painting and paint the render.
It’s only a month now until we can move back into the hall!
Accessibility Project Update 23rd September 2024
Over the last few weeks, the builders have been working flat out to plasterboard all the new stud walls. You can now really see how the new space will be used!
Each of the toilet cubicles are ready for plastering and the new consultation room is now sealed from the old front door entrance, creating a brilliant, large and airy space our members will be able to use for treatments and private meetings.
The plumbing and electrics are all ready for the installation of the sanitary wear. It feels like we’re on the home stretch now!
Accessibility Project Update 4th September 2024
The windows have arrived and have been fitted throughout the extended structure. It’s amazing what a difference the windows make to the appearance!
Accessibility Project Update 30th August 2024
This week has seen the construction of the frames for the stud walls with the first fix of the plumbing and electric work having started. The main joist at the front of the hall is in place allowing for the flat roof structure at the front of the fall to be finished, showing where the sky lights will be situated.
Accessibility Project Update 18th August 2024
The front extension roof rafters are now in place and the wall to the new toilet facilities has been opened up into the side extension. You can now really appreciate the impact of the additional space.
Accessibility Project Update 1st August 2024
Work continues at a good pace. The external wall is taking shape and we have now knocked the original frontage into the new extension and opened the old office into the hall, ready for new walls to be built.
Accessibility Project Update 22nd July 2024
An exciting week as the foundations are started and we begin to build upwards! Hopefully, we have now overcome all the unexpected hurdles and work will progress smoothly.
Accessibility Project Update 15th July 2024
Work this week was a little slower as more issues were encountered with the wing wall and other exposed pipe work. However, work moved to start on the side boundary where the extension will be built, to allow for the new toilets.
Accessibility Project Update 8th July 2024
This week the outside walls and slope have been demolished. We lost a little time as we found a main sewage pipe exactly where the foundations were planned to be laid. A new sewage pipe has been laid with the relevant authorisation allowing us to continue our work. The front is now prepared for the foundations.
Accessibility Project Update 1st July 2024
Work begins with removing the porch and hall name on the outside. We managed to save some of the lovely scented shrubs in the garden and hope to be able to replant them when the work has finished. Inside, the wall between the two toilets has been demolished ready for the extension.
Accessibility Project Update 26th June 2024
What the hall looked like in the hall and from the outside prior to the work starting.
Project Summary
In December 2022 we gained planning permission to proceed with our accessibility project.
Our purpose built hall was opened in 1951 and is in desperate need of modernising and adapting to improve its facilities and entrance. The completed project will result in adding an extension and refurbishment to offer step free access with a low gradient ramp, accessible and enhanced toilet facilities within the hall and a consultation/treatment room. The existing access for the hall is not conducive to the safety, comfort and well-being of our current, or future membership, and is being highly anticipated by everyone for its completion. Please see the plans below.
At an estimated total cost of £250,000, we need support from our community.
Fundraising
We have been busy fundraising to pay the costs of the project and in October held a highly enjoyable and successful dinner with auction at Shendish Manor Hotel. During the evening we raised an amazing £12,300! Thank you to everyone who supported us at this event.
Other fundraising events have included sales, raffles, open days and coffee mornings within our local community. Further, in spring 2024 we will be holding a quiz night among other activities so do look out on our social media and this page for more details.
If you would like to hold a fundraising event yourself on our behalf or attend one of the events we hold please contact us using the contact page.
Accessibility Plans
Donations
If you would like to donate to the Watford Blind Centre, providing support ranging from contributing to our accessibility project to supporting in making our lunches and outings more affordable for our members, please scan the QR code above or click the button below to be redirected to our JustGiving site.