Business match funding success for Kier Construction Western & Wales and Surf School Wales, Port Talbot.
Alison Rees, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, Kier Construction Western & Wales and Kier Foundation Charity Champion, submitted her business match funding application to help Surf School Wales (SSW), a local operation, transform their outdoor garden area into a secure safe multipurpose space.
The requirements
SSW is fortunate to have a secure space at the rear of their hub included in their lease. This space however is underutilised and has become very muddy and impractical to use for its members. The space has therefore rarely been used during the 2021 season and is an opportunity to enhance the experience members have when they visit.
SSW wanted help to transform the rear space into an outdoor multipurpose space which would:
- Provide a space to safely educate members about the theory of surfing, water safety and environmental factors.
- Provide a safe and comfortable space before and after the surf sessions to use for briefings etc.
- Open up opportunities to conduct innovative and alternative surfing practices, integrating land lock surfing activities into their schedule including strength building and yoga.
- Create a private, clean space for those who are less confident to change privately, a great need especially with school groups and charity groups.
To create this new space the Kier team used composite decking to mirror the front of the surf school to ensure a consistent look and feel. Also due to it being low maintenance, nonslip and hard-wearing. One flat layer was installed to ensure the space is safe and accessible for all SSW members.
Total project cost, including staff time of 16 hours from supply chain to fit and lay the base and decking and five hours of Alison's time to coordinate the project.
£3,000
Business match funding from the Kier Foundation
£1,500
Alison said “Surf School Wales is a proud local operation that provides its services exclusively on Aberavon beach for the benefit of the local community. It aims to promote long-term physical and mental wellbeing and tackle key social issues in the local community through the benefits of surfing, as well as attracting visitors to Neath Port Talbot for surf lessons.”
“We chose to support this project as it connects people socially, physically and mentally and provides surfing lessons to all of the local schools within the area. It introduces hundreds of young people as well as adults to the benefits of surfing. They offer a kid’s surf club, a local school programme, and surf therapy sessions with local, regional, and national charities."
