We are incredibly excited about our upcoming relocation to the Woodside Building, and look forward to announcing a date soon. As our CEO Mari has said, the move is a vital step to secure the long-term sustainability and growth of Headway Bristol, allowing us to “create a tailored space that truly reflects the needs of brain injury survivors”.
While there are many things we will learn together as we go, we know you have practical questions about what life at the new site will be like. Below is everything you need to know:
The big picture
Q: Where is the new building located?
A: We have officially taken over the lease of the Woodside Building, located on the Britannia Road Estate (Kingswood Foundation Estate), Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8DB. You can view the location in Google Maps.
Q: When is the move happening?
A: We aim to be fully operating from the new building shortly. In the meantime, the toilet facilities and key support areas are being fully refurbished to ensure everything is perfect when we open the doors.
Q: Will my support or session times change during the transition?
A: No. Support will continue without interruption throughout the entire move. You will see the exact same staff team, experience the same programmes and keep the person-centred routine you rely on.
The building, rooms and layout
Q: How many rooms do we have in the new building?
A: There are 6 rooms in total. However, we will only use 3 rooms initially (2 main centre rooms and the arts and crafts room) while ongoing work is carried out on the other 3 spaces.
Q: How many toilets are there, and how far are they from the main room?
A: There are 3 toilets, located just down the corridor to the right as you enter the reception area.
Q: Are the toilets accessible and gender-neutral?
A: Yes. All toilets are individual cubicles for anyone to use. The layout includes:
- One large, fully adapted toilet.
- Two average-sized toilets that can still accommodate a small or medium wheelchair.
Q: Are we taking our familiar furniture with us?
A: Yes. All of our current chairs, tables and sofas are coming with us.
Food, drinks and social time
Q: Where will we eat our lunch?
A: Lunch will take place around the tables in the main centre rooms. Long-term plans are in place to develop a much larger kitchen area in the future.
Q: Will sandwiches be available at the new site?
A: Yes. The White Elephant Café is located directly opposite our new building. You can place your orders in the morning, and they can be collected at lunchtime – either independently or with staff support.
Q: Will the cost of drinks in the centre change?
A: No, the price of drinks will remain exactly the same.
Q: Can we have a tuck trolley at the new premises?
A: This is a great idea and something we plan to introduce once we have fully settled into our new home.
Daily operations and activities
Q: Will the size of our groups change?
A: The new building gives us more space, so we hope to grow our groups. We are always open to new referrals and welcoming new service users.
Q: Will there be more staff at the new location?
A: At present, we have adequate staff numbers and volunteers to fully support all of our services and members.
Q: Will there be an interactive screen or TV available?
A: Yes. Both our TV and our interactive screen are moving with us and will be set up for sessions.
Travel and parking
Q: Is there parking available at the new building?
A: Yes. Headway Bristol has 10 designated parking spaces assigned specifically to us at the new site.
Make your mark
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Practically, we are keen to hear from any painters, decorators, handypersons, budding space designers/architects, gardeners, or seamstresses who may be able to support us in any way. Anyone with a skill, hobby, or even just a few hours to spare that could benefit our new space, please do get in touch!
If you’re able to sponsor a truly transformative aspect of the vision … we’re dreaming of installing a sheltered outdoor space within our wonderful new grounds to support well-being activates and allow our service users to enjoy being outside in the fresh air as much as possible. If you wish to know more, please get in touch.
More questions? Speak to us!
This is your space, and your voice will guide how it grows. We will be working closely with our members to gather ideas on how to develop the building, activities, and layout over time.
If you have any further questions, concerns, or ideas about the move, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff at the centre. Alternatively, you can reach the team directly by phone at 0117 462 6962 or by sending an email to [email protected].