Following the installation of ten outdoor educational pods and an extension to the residential blocks at their Ullswater centre, the Outward Bound Trust called upon Forbo Flooring Systems to come up with an integrated flooring solution that would withstand the high footfall the centre receives on a daily basis.
For more than a decade, Forbo has been providing the Outward Bound Trust with charitable support, from flooring specification, guidance and donations, as well as actively helping the work it does with young people, by sending two volunteers every year to the Aberdovey centre to help mentor local school children.
In 2016, the Trust’s Ullswater centre extended its accommodation block to cater for the ever-growing number of visitors and built ten outdoor educational pods to aid the learning experience. Tony Martin-White, Operations Manager at the centre said: We built the pods as we believe that young people respond better to learning when taken outside of a typical classroom environment; we believe in combining a mixture of both indoor and outdoor learning – and the pods make for a perfect relaxed learning environment.”
Situated in the grounds, away from the main building, the pods will be used by many students throughout the year, so a suitable floor covering was needed to protect them from slips and trips – especially during the winter months where mud and water are brought into the pods on the soles of their shoes. Forbo’s Allura Safety, in the Timber Seagrass colourway, was installed in all of the pods as the tiles are a stylish yet practical option for buildings that require a floor covering that is contemporary, flexible and delivers outstanding safety performance.
The popular adventure centre also recently extended its accommodation to allow more young people to enjoy the facilities. Due to the need for a quick turnaround after guests leave and new ones arrive, the Trust needed a floor covering that would be easy to clean and maintain. Forbo’s Flotex offered the perfect solution as, after getting wet it dries within a four-hour window– and so it was installed throughout in the vibrant Metro Grape and Moss colourways to bring a splash of colour to the rooms. Flotex is also the only textile flooring covering to be Allergy UK approved as, with the correct cleaning and maintenance regime, it won't harbour dust mites, contributing to a better indoor environment for all who use the facilities.
In order to help stop dirt and moisture from entering the building from the get go, Forbo’s Coral Classic textile entrance flooring system has been installed in the building’s corridors. Independent testing has shown that by stopping up to 95% of walked in dirt and moisture, Coral reduces the time spent cleaning the building's other floor coverings by up to 65%. Ideal for the Trust, who rely solely on funding, as it means that they can save money on cleaning bills.
Joe Blaylock, Contracts Manager at Contract Flooring Cumbria, helped to install the flooring and has worked with the charity for many years, he said: “We prepped Forbo in line with what The Trust, who were heavily involved in the process, wanted. Everything was spot on; we worked together to ensure that the rest of the building would be protected during the process of installing the floor.”
Martin Cooper, Head of the Ullswater Centre said: “From the moment participants step onto centre grounds and see their accommodation, to accessing modern, well-equipped stores to aid quick preparation for their adventures - the aim is to increase the learning and impact of our courses. We’re grateful for our partnership with Forbo, and its generous donations over the years, and believe the company does contribute to our young people’s learning experience.”
For more information on how Forbo is committed to the health of one and all, please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/cho
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