A North Wales construction firm has volunteered to help to create a welcoming reception space and the perfect atmosphere for a Bangor-based community hub offering essential support to those seeking better mental health.
Team members from Wynne Construction donated their time and resources to refurbish two rooms in the Victorian-era building which houses Canolfan Abbey Road, helping give it a much-needed revamp.
Work completed by the company included forming a new doorway between two rooms, fixing the joists in floors, painting using supplies donated by subcontractor Curtis Painting Group, and providing new flooring, donated by subcontractor Idris Contract Flooring.
Additional improvements to the centre such as the installation of new doors and supplying paint for additional rooms were also undertaken.
Fiona Owens, chief officer of Canolfan Abbey Road, which offers support to up to 1,000 people a month, was thrilled with the work completed by Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction.
The firm has been building 38 new apartments for housing association Adra on the former social club site along Farrar Road, which is just a stone’s throw away from the centre, with workers on the project volunteering to assist in Canolfan Abbey Road’s revamp.
As well as the physical improvements, the centre also underwent a complete rebrand with students from the Cardiff School of Art & Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University creating a new logo to compliment a fresh colour scheme and new name for the organisation.
Fiona said: “I don’t remember a Bangor without Abbey Road. It is a lifeline to our community.
“It’s so important that Abbey Road is a part of the community and now, with the help of Wynne, we’ve been able to make some important improvements.
“Previously, you would come into the building through the main door in the middle of three Victorian houses that make up the centre, and it was a very narrow corridor with a hatch to one side and another door at the end that felt very claustrophobic and intimidating.
“Working together with Wynne, we have been able to refloor the entrance in the third house and create a doorway into a back-office, producing a well-designed area and a big, light space to welcome our visitors.
“It provides a much more inviting entrance to the centre; there will be a warmth now with music playing and someone to help at a desk at the back.”
Indeed, the centre has been a cornerstone of the Bangor community for decades, offering provision for better mental health to people over 18 in Gwynedd, Conwy, and Anglesey.
“Things have been tough; we lost our main income stream in terms of hiring out rooms when covid hit, and Wynne’s offer of help came at a perfect time,” Fiona added.
“The fact that we have a new space to invite people into as well as refurbished rooms to use is fantastic.”
Assistant site manager for Wynne Construction Connor Roberts, who has been working on the Adra project, is pleased the company could play its part in a worthwhile cause.
He said: “It is an old building, so to be able to help make it more welcoming was important.
“It was really enjoyable being a part of the project, which will make a big difference to people in the local area.
“I was surprised at just how many people used the facility and those that work at Canolfan Abbey Road do a fantastic job.”
Social value manager for Wynne Construction Alison Hourihane added: “It has been a pleasure to have supported the team at Canolfan Abbey Road through this revamp, as we strive to deliver additional benefits and social value on all our schemes.
“It was great for the site team to volunteer their time and skills as well as have the paint and flooring kindly donated by members of our supply chain, and we are really pleased with how it has worked out.”
David Wrenne, Graphic Communication programme director at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be involved in the rebranding of Canolfan Abbey Road.
“The programme recognises the power of graphic design in reconnecting people to charitable organisations and this was our ambition for the visual repositioning of Abbey Road.
“The rebrand has already allowed the website to be relaunched and will continue to celebrate the fantastic work that Fiona and her team at Abbey Road does within the community.”
Sion Hughes, assistant director of customers and communities at Adra, said: “Adra is so proud to work with Canolfan Abbey Road to provide specialist mental health support to some of our customers. Giving people the opportunity to network and make friends in their area is so important.
“The centre’s new look is brilliant, and we look forward to working in partnership in the future.”
