Wallingford Accessible Boat Club Create Permanent Home with Help from Greenford

Operating out of a temporary facility is never ideal, especially when working with disabilities, where accessibility and aids are the top priority. The Wallingford Accessible Boat Club found themselves in this exact situation. Operating in a temporary facility near Benson allowed the charity to provide its essential wellbeing boat trips to those with disabilities and impaired movement. However, it was far from perfect.

Searching for a new home in southeast Oxfordshire, the charity called upon the help of Greenford to produce a permanent, accessible and bespoke solution for the future. Now housed beside the Wallingford outdoor pool, Greenford were able to produce the correct accessibility needs for guests to use the boats.

The brand-new wheelchair ramp leads directly to the river

Firstly, the road toward the riverbank was resurfaced to provide a smooth and wide area, ideal for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other walking aids. The resurfacing continued across the off-road section closer to the riverbank. Here, a wheelchair ramp with barriers cuts through the landscape for a smooth arrival by the river.

The ramp and pontoon that leads to the charity's boat

At the riverside, a bespoke pontoon and ramp have been installed for excellent access to the charity’s boat, the WOW-One. Here, passengers can safely board the boat with ease and enjoy the benefits of boating activities on the water. Thoroughly increasing personal wellbeing and mental health while providing families with an essential recreational activity.

The work was revealed in an opening ceremony on May 15, 2025, followed by demonstration runs by the boat.

"A huge thank you to Greenford for their incredible support and professionalism in producing these essential, accessible features”

John Jenkins MBE, Chairman of the Wallingford Accessible Boat Club