Safer centres > Make changes in and around your building

Make changes in and around your building

The hazard checklist, (Resources: Program Tool 9 - Is your centre safe and activity-friendly?) offers specific recommendations that can guide your work in improving the safety of the space in and around your centre. However, implementing most changes requires some resources - funding and/or people. For example, purchasing a non-slip rug for the front entrance can be costly. For many organizations cost is a prohibitive factor in making even the simplest change to their physical environment.

The following are a few strategies that may help you find resources to make the changes required.

Fundraising
Your center may already have experience fundraising. Although the possibilities for fundraising events are endless, some simple ideas include:

• Hosting or participating in a bazaar, with your members contributing the goods for sale
• Having a bake sale
• Engaging children and grandchildren to host a car wash
• Organizing a special event such as a concert or dinner
• Having a fundraising auction. Your members may be willing to contribute an hour, or even a day, to be "auctioned" at a fundraising event. Many people might be happy to bid on a 2-hour computer consultation, five knitting lessons or a weekend at a summer cottage.

Don't forget to notify the media of your fundraising efforts to get the word out.

Using volunteers
You probably have a wealth of talents and skills within your membership. Do you have a retired carpenter? Or handyman? Or someone who loves to paint? Volunteers can come from outside your centre too, Look for groups that are known to lend a hand from time to time, for example, youth groups such as the Cadets, Boy Scouts or Girl Guides. Your community may also have a volunteer association that helps link individual volunteers with organizations looking for help. Working with volunteers from the community can be an enriching experience for both members and volunteers.

Making involvement in changes part of a program or activity
Look for ways to integrate making physical changes into your programs. For example:

• Have a carpentry club oversee the installation of handrails on stairs.
• Invite a gardening group to consider planting flowers to improve the visual appeal of the surroundings outside your centre and promote walking. The group's activities could include weekly maintenance of the gardens.
• Hold a contest to design the most engaging sign to post near the stairs and elevator to encourage members to use the stairs.
• Challenge your members to suggest creative ways to eliminate hazards in and around your centre.

Sponsorship
Speak with local businesses. They may be willing to sponsor an activity or help offset costs associated with a change. "Help" may mean reduced rates or even free products or services. Often, sponsors require you to advertise the company or store that has provided the support. Thank them by putting up a sign next to the product that was donated, sending a thank you letter that could be posted in the company's entranceway, or publishing a notice of their support in your organization's newsletter.

Some companies that you could consider approaching for sponsorship are:

• Hardware or other retail stores that carry products such as grab bars, non-slip mats, benches, or paint. The key is to look at what the store sells and match it up with your needs.
• Service providers, such as contractors, who might be able to help with changes you are considering, such as installing handrails on stairs or building safe walkways around your centre.
  

To help you make your building safer from falls