Very adaptable and approachable "can do"
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: October 2016
I have experience of challenges around: hearing and moving around.
Overall Rating
Excellent
The centre and all facilities are set up specifically for disabled people and their family / friends. The staff are what makes the place: they are at ease with communicating with disabled people with all impairments. It's not at all "how amazing are we": they just routinely make the seemingly unlikely very easy! Facilities also excellent.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The whole place is designed around access for disabled people with physical (mobility / dexterity etc.), learning, behavioural, autistic spectrum and visual impairments. Staff excellent.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Public transport to the centre is very limited - a couple of times a day on some days only - but is accessible and friendly. The site is very, very remote! Ample disabled parking. They offer accessible minibus from the nearest train station (an hour's drive)
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
The public toilets: two I think don't quite meet Part M as they are slightly too narrow. The third (slightly hidden) one does. The en suite toilets are fully accessible. Though there's no Changing Places toilet, I'd argue the pool toilet approaches these levels, and I know they're also working on extending that one.
Staff
Excellent
The staff go out of their way to be accommodating without making a fuss about it, no matter what their role. I've been coming 14 years, with extensive experience of disability and care environments, and frankly these are the business.
Additional Information
Whilst staff are trained in communicating, they don't get many deaf clients. Acoustics in some communal areas is sub optimal. There are vibra fire alarms and one portable loop unit and staff are extremely accommodating.
