Wellcome Collection

tinahodgkinson

15 Nov 2019

Wellcome has become even more welcoming to disabled people with a Changing Places Toilet

5

5

Date of visit: November 2019

I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

Excellent

The Wellcome Collection is a free museum which specialises in health and health related sciences. This review is specifically about my visit to their new Being Human permanent exhibition. While there I checked out their new Changing Places toilet.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

There's automated doors at the entrance. Then immediately in front of you is a staircase and a platform lift to take you to the main floor. There's large lifts to each floor. The new Being Human gallery is located on the first floor. The exhibition is well laid out and spacious. There is objects, art work, information boards and videos with captions. There is plenty of seating with arms so it easier to transfer. At the entrance to the gallery there was a shelf on which were Being Human large print guide. Written above the shelf were the words, tactile map, tactile book, BSL and audio description. There was a note which said that the materials were coming soon and would be available by the end of the month (November 2020). The exhibition has a lot of interesting items on display. The signage throughout the gallery was impressive. Black on a silver background which provided a good contrast and the title of the object was also written on the top of the signs in braille. At the bottom there was a number BSL and a headphones symbol and what I assume was the number in braille. One of the exhibits entitled Medical Heirlooms, which was an art work of vases representing different health conditions also had a tactile shape of the vase. One of the display cabinets focused on disability.

Parking & Transport

Excellent

The Wellcome Collection is centrally located on Euston Road. It's almost opposite Euston Station and also nearby is Euston Square, Warren Street and King's Cross stations. There are a number of buses that stop very close by. I travelled on public transport to get there and it was only a 2 minute walk from getting off the bus.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

A Changing Places toilet has recently been installed on the ground floor. It requires a RADAR key, which can be obtained from the information desk or cloakroom. This includes hoist, adjustable bench, toilet, shower. There was a trolley well stocked with toilet roll and rubber gloves. There were 2 emergency cords. Also on the ground floor are 2 brand new accessible toilets. One of which also doubles up with baby changing facilities. They are spacious, with plenty of grab rails and with emergency cords. All emergency cords have Euan's Guide Red Cord Cards on them.

Staff

Excellent

I had minimum staff interaction while I was there but the staff at the entrance and in the café where very friendly and helpful.

Additional Information

The Being Human exhibition is very interesting and well worth visiting. Lunch in the café was delicious. Congratulations to Wellcome in installing a Changing Places toilet as this means your collection is now even more accessible. Thank you.