SURF CHARITY’S SOS ANSWERED IN STYLE!
TAKE a look at the new home built for a worthwhile Swansea charity, thanks to the hard work of the DIY SOS team.
Presenter Nick Knowles and his team – Mark, Chris, Jules, Billy and designer Gabrielle Blackman – have been in Caswell hard at work with the mission of transforming Surfability’s old home, a dilapidated, out-of-use bus stop shelter – into a state-of-the-art, ecofriendly surf centre.
With the help of donations and work from dozens of volunteers, their efforts have provided a huge boost for the UK’S first fully inclusive surf school, which currently supports more than 500 people from across the UK, and gives disabled people the opportunity to take to the waves.
Charity users had to get used to having a base which had often been flooded, with no electricity, running water or ventilation.
But that is now a thing of a past, as they now have a fantastic new facility.
The building’s design is in a surfboard shape, and features colours to fit into its landscape, with a blue, grey and driftwood scheme. It also features a grassed roof.
Giving his first impressions on the new home for the charity, Surfability director Ben Clifford said: “It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now. This is beyond what we could have hoped for.
“Every little detail of the building is just perfect and to see the amount of work and love that has gone into it. The people cared about what they were doing, and that comes through when you look at it. This is what our participants deserve. They work so hard and challenge themselves so much, they need this.”
Unlike other years, due to health and safety guidelines relating to the Covid19 pandemic, yesterday’s reveal day was invite-only, meaning all those who had not received an invitation were asked not to attend. But those who were there got to hear Mr Knowles give a special speech to bring the project to a close.
He explained how it was an “extraordinarily difficult build at any stage”, but to do it during Covid was a “real stretch”.
“Nonetheless, the massive reaction of the community of South Wales, and indeed people coming across the border too has meant that despite those difficulties we’ve managed to build this in nine days,” he said.
“It is an extraordinarily beautiful building. We needed to be aware of where we were building this, it’s practically a national park here.
“We wanted to make it something that sat comfortably in its environment. It’s shaped like a surfboard but it’s built out of materials that look natural in the area. There’s a green roof on it, and all the plants on the top are local plants.
“It’s very specific to this area and it means that this amazing charity Surfability, who look after currently 500 people a year with disabilities, not just children, to get them out to the surf and see their faces is extraordinary.
“Plainly carers and parents are nervous when their loved ones do this but it is a managed risk. That risk is important because it makes those people feel alive. Those of us who have gone through lockdown have had a small taste of what it must be like for people with disability.
“They are essentially reliant on other people to come and take them out. That’s their life always. South Wales should be very proud of facilities like this because it is the first all-ability surfing-dedicated facility anywhere in the world. It’s a world leader and Ben is actually writing the bible on how to do this that the rest of the world will follow. It’s something Swansea and South Wales can be proud of.
“We are very proud that we’ve been able to do this but not proud of ourselves, but the amazing people who have donated materials and their time and have dealt with all the extra difficulties with Covid to prove not only could they build something for people who really need it but that when we come together in our communities we can do extraordinary things.”
Ms Blackman, who is recognised as one of the country’s leading interior designers, spoke about the design process of the new building.
She said: “We were so worried about this whole project, building a new building from start to finish in the middle of a global pandemic, but it is a really important building for the community and we felt we could do it and stick to the restrictions.
“When we arrived on site we realised how amaz
ing this community is. We were determined to push through and stick to the restrictions and get the job done.
“We have created a really beautiful surfboardshaped building. We have really stuck with the incredible landscape. Caswell Bay is a really special place and it was important to us to complement the environment.
“All colours chosen were to reflect the beautiful Welsh landscape, and there are blue, greys and driftwood colours, and there is a grassed roof with gorgeous Welsh grasses.
“We’re so proud and I hope a lot of people see how much thought went into the design of the building. It is an ode to Caswell.
“Before this, the kids were having to be changed in car parks or a bus shelter, and a lot of them are wheelchair users or have additional needs. We all know how hard it is anyway getting in and out of a wetsuit without having disabilities.
“They will now have a lovely and dry place to change in privacy. It is really going to change the lives of the users.
“Everybody knows how difficult these times are at the moment, and it is really difficult to work within the construction
industry.
“We can’t throw bodies at it with 40 painters and decorators at a time. People had to work four times as hard as we expect from any other DIY SOS. The Welsh traders are superheroes, they just switched it up a gear.
“We’ve been working through the night and I’ve only had two hours sleep! It is an emotional feeling knowing what we have achieved. This building will have a great legacy and I know the sacrifice that has gone in from everybody at a difficult time when people are worried about finances and their jobs.
“They have put time aside and I would like to thank every single one of them for their efforts.”
The groundworks started on September 1, with phase two, the construction of the building beginning on September 16, and thanks to the help and generosity of volunteers and tradespeople from across Swansea and Wales, it is now complete.
Huw Griffiths, of Swansea-based Huw Griffiths Architects, together with workers Mike Cahill and Ellie Thomas, have been involved in the project from start to finish.
“We’re pleased to have been part of it,” Mr Griffiths said.
“I am proud of the work effort that has been put in by everybody. People have been working cheek to jowl from start to finish in only 24 days.
“The building curves like a surfboard and you really see that from an elevated viewing point if you are coming down the hill into Caswell Bay.
“It is now the poshest bus shelter in the world! The charity now has purpose-built facilities for them to go onwards and upwards.
“There is a sense of pride when you achieve something like this. It is a phenomenal buzz. It is the buzz that keeps you going.”
The project followed the DIY SOS team’s efforts in September 2017, when they built a new support centre for The Roots Foundation Wales, which supports children in care.
The inside of the building is being kept under wraps for the time being, and will be unveiled on the DIY SOS Big Build Children in Need special which will be broadcast during the BBC Children in Need Appeal week on Thursday, November 12, on BBC One.
If you would like to show your support for the build you can donate to BBC Children in Need at bbc.co.uk/pudsey.