West Berkshire Hydrotherapy Pool

 

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Revised Prospectus

and call for

Non Executive Directors


 

22nd October 2007


 

We are currently seeking three or more suitably qualified individuals to complete the Board of a new organisation to be known as Berkshire West Health and Well-being Social Enterprises. This organisation is being established to oversee the creation and ongoing management of the proposed West Berkshire Hydrotherapy Pool, Power-assisted Exercise Gym and other related health & well-being services. If you think you have the time, interest and skills to be a Non-executive Director, read on!

The business will be established as a (not-for-profit) Social Enterprise, most likely as a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee. There will be no shares or shareholders and any surplus funds would be used for other, similar community benefit. It is proposed that Directors will receive no salary or other remuneration other than properly incurred expenses. For information about Community Interest Companies please refer to www.cicregulator.gov.uk

The purpose of the Hydrotherapy Pool will be to provide specialist physiotherapy in the relatively weightless conditions of water, so providing health and well-being benefits to a broad range of people in need. Pool users will include those affected by rheumatism, neurological conditions, learning difficulties, post operative, sports injuries and pre/post natal to name a few. The Power-assisted Exercise Gym will provide specialist equipment to give exercise to clients with neurological and other conditions who find it difficult to take exercise without mechanical assistance. Discussions are under way to identify other services the Social Enterprise should embrace, to strengthen its presence and broaden service delivery.

Profundus Consulting Limited is currently independently investigating the unmet need and business case for the gym and has already published its findings on the feasibility of establishing a pool. Their report can be seen here. The pool feasibility study indicates that up to 800 users would utilise the facility each week, generating a strong cash flow and a robust and enduring business. Adding a gym is expected to strengthen the business. In addition to the Alliance the project has the general support of Greenham Common Trust, Social Enterprise Berkshire, Community Action West Berkshire, West Berkshire Disability Alliance and many others. The Steering Group driving the project is currently engaged in discussions to secure suitable land and is confident this can be negotiated, along with the necessary planning permission.

Currently we are also seeking formal letters of support from interested parties, to back up the formal application to the owners for use of their land. The negotiations to secure the land may take some time to complete and we are in the hands of others on this.

Assuming we are successful in securing suitable land and given that our main funding supporters remain committed to helping us raise the necessary capital and start up funds, the business model is considerably more attractive than for any conventional commercial business as there will be no mortgage or rental costs to cover.

The Board of the proposed Social Enterprise will become involved in ensuring that the business becomes legally established and that a full range of watertight contracts, permissions and other arrangements are in place to ensure the business grows and remains a secure, enduring community asset and service, run by skilled staff in a professional way, to provide important therapy services that would otherwise be unavailable locally. Five individuals have so far offered to stand and a further three or more, preferably those with a strong track record in finance, law or human resources, are needed to complete the team.

The existing Steering Group has accumulated a considerable portfolio of knowledge and contacts from which the Board will be able to draw for as long as required. Should you wish to find out more about becoming involved with this venture in any way please contact the undersigned at any time. Please feel free to forward this to anyone else you consider may wish to become involved, either as a potential Director or in some other capacity.

Thank you for your interest.

 
John Holt
Project Lead
West Berkshire Hydrotherapy Pool Steering Group