Overview

We visited the community hub which has ramp access and level, carpeted floors in the main reception area and library (which is accessed through double doors). There are a few tables and chairs which are spaced apart but can be difficult to negotiate around when it's busy and there are people at the tables. The reception desk is a good height. Staff were helpful and accommodating but some were unsure what access they have for the pool. One staff member was very informative but they initially couldn't find the key for the other double doors you have to go through to get to the 'changing places' style accessible changing room. There are toilets off of the reception which are also marked as accessible. However they are NOT. You have to enter a short narrow corridor/open vestibule and immediately turn 90° which there is not ample room for. The toilet doors are also extremely narrow. My daughter held the door open to one of these 'accessible' toilets and it was divided into two cubicles anyway so would not have been any use. Further into the building, along a corridor near the pool area, there is a very very good sized accessible changing room with changing table, room cover type ceiling track hoist, closomat toilet with fold down arm rests, sink, shower and stand aid. This room is very spacious and well laid out with room for transfer onto toilet from either side. The staff provided a shower chair which also attached to the pool hoist for access to the water. The only drawback is that this is a small distance away. You have to come along a bit of a corridor, past some shelving units and through another set of double doors that they couldn't find the key for, so I had to go further along through their office and out a side door, back along poolside over bumpy tiles and along to the pool hoist. The staff were very apologetic for this and had kindly placed a plank of plastic covered wood into the small drainage trough that runs along the length of the poolside floor, so I could smoothly travel over it in the shower chair without a massive bump. This was very thoughtful and kind. Pool is pretty bog standard but tiles are slippy in the pool itself with a few sharp edges so be careful! Staff were proficient in using the hoist, they explained everything and reassured me the whole time, even telling me what temperature the water was so I didn't get a shock at it being cooler or anything. The staff also provided a range of various floats and noodles in different shapes and sizes. They were very helpful and kind but could obviously do with more training and another set of keys.

Transport & Parking

We travelled by car but it is right off the main road, part of the school complex, the community hub contains the library, swimming pool, gym, cinema and other rooms with various uses so it's easy to find and it's on a bus route. However buses are not very frequent. They could do with adding a mirror to the changing room or a mirror and hair dryer at an accessible height / range of heights somewhere nearby.

Access

The access is really good, but let down by the fact some staff are unaware of the accessible changing room and others couldn't unlock the doors to get to it as they had misplaced the key. More staff training required.

Toilets

The ones is reception are awful and the access symbol should be removed from them immediately. However the accessible 'changing places' style room is incredibly good. It's fantastic. (You need a code to open the door which staff provided, although they opened the door for me anyway. This lock is a bit high up so you may require assistance from them anyway.) However, once inside it's very well laid out, spacious and well equipped for a range of needs. There is a closomat style toilet with fold down armrest rails. There is ample room to transfer from a wheelchair on either side. The only drawback being the boxed in pipework along the back wall which slightly restricts how far back you can reverse your chair in beside the loo. There's a hoist and a stand aid. Gloves, aprons and wipes were also provided. Sink is easily accessible but perhaps a bit on the small side. They could do with a mirror in there though.

Staff

I'm eating them highly as they were very helpful and tried their best but they could obviously do with more training and another set of keys.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

There was ample hand gel available, masks were optional in reception area. Things seemed well spaced out and swim sessions have limited numbers.

Photos