17th January 2019
It’s going to be warm and cosy for the members and staff at Chrysalis in Wigton this winter thanks to a £16,272 grant from the Cumbria Fund.
The charity, which provides support to adults with learning disabilities, has used the grant to upgrade its central heating system. Now complete, it provides a secure future as far as heating the building on Longthwaite Road, is concerned.
Pamela Oddy said: “This grant has enabled us, along with other funds received, to go ahead and replace all the radiators and pipework at our head office in Wigton. Without adequate heating we could not provide our services and the old system was at great risk of malfunction due to its age and condition. The new system also has Low Service Temperature (LST) radiators in all areas that our members use making them safer and less likely to cause injury to the vulnerable adults we support. This is not only good for our members but provides peace of mind to their families and carers in the wider community that we have a safe and warm environment with for their loved ones.”
Prior to this work being carried out, members and staff had been subjected to a number of problems with the old antiquated heating system, including the building being too cold. Polly* has a personal care plan with Chrysalis, part of this includes having a shower with the help of support workers twice a week. Since the project has been completed, Polly has a nice warm wet room to shower in and no longer has to brave the cold.
Chrysalis currently supports over 30 individuals each week to access a wide range of both leisure and educational activities through one to one support, group activities and holidays. It also offers an outreach provision which enables its members to access community facilities throughout the day as well as on an evening or weekend. The building provides office space for staff on its upper floor and day support facilities for members including those with more profound physical disabilities on its ground floor.
*name changed.