The Mold Road Stand has had a fresh lick of paint for the 2021/22 season as part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to becoming more dementia-friendly.
Led by Disability Liaison Officer Kerry Evans, groundstaff and volunteers have helped give the stand some cosmetic improvements – all in the name of improving accessibility.
The painting is the start of a larger project, which will eventually cover the entire stadium, but the Mold Road Stand was a fitting starting point as the Club’s currently most accessible stand.
Improvements were put in place following an audit by people living with dementia visiting the Club, who made us aware of important changes that could be made to further our dementia-friendly status.
For example, people living with dementia struggle to differentiate between white toilet cisterns and sinks if they are on a white wall. Consequently, all Mold Road Stand toilets have been painted Wrexham red behind each toilet and sink block to offer better contrast.
The most notable change, however, are the yellow steps – which supporters will have seen for the first time for the friendly against Curzon Ashton.
Again, this is to make the steps more distinguishable with black nosing also added to better highlight them. Furthermore, each step has been painted with anti-slip safety elements.
After the Club received a quote for the work from a professional company, which would have proved inhibitive, volunteers stepped up to join head groundsman Paul Chaloner and groundsman Iwan Pugh-Jones in completing the work instead.
Kingsley Evans, Dilwyn Baker, Matt Williams and Darren Jackson spent several days painting to ensure the Mold Road Stand’s improvements were complete before the season started.
And on why they offered to volunteer their services, they all paid tribute to the role Kerry Evans plays at the Football Club.
Dilwyn said: “When Kerry asked me to help, it was a pleasure to. Anything that makes life easier for supporters watching Wrexham is a pleasure to do.”
Matt added: “It was for a fantastic cause, so it was an absolute pleasure to help out. It’s something that’s going to be so important to a number of people in the community who come and watch Wrexham.
Darren said: “It’s been an absolute honour to be able to volunteer my services for the Football Club, and anything I can do to help out Kerry I’m more than happy to.”
Kingsley concluded: “It’s something that has needed doing for a while and I think helping anybody in this Club to have a better match-day experience is worthwhile. Kerry works so hard for the Club and just giving a little bit back made all the difference.”
DLO Kerry Evans said: “I am incredibly proud and grateful for the fact these projects were carried out by four volunteers and our amazing groundstaff Paul Chaloner and Iwan Pugh-Jones across two months in pre-season.
“They have stepped up and worked tirelessly for days on end to get the project completed. Thank you to all of them for putting their hearts and souls into the project.
"I also need to thank Rich Watkin and the Fat Boar, Wrexham, for their donation to my DLO funds to pay for the painting projects in full, and for their generosity in contributing to a thank you gift to each of the volunteers.
"Likewise, Paul Griffiths - manager of Colour Supplies - who not only offered a 25 per cent discount oon every tin of yellow paint purchased, but also added the Anti-Slip Element free to make the project much more affordable.
“It may seem a small cosmetic difference to some, but to supporters living with dementia these changes make a big difference.
“I am proud of the work the Club has done to be more dementia friendly and I am proud to be able to continue that work going forward.”