Venue Description

Chesham Museum was founded in 2004. It is a community organisation, conceived and run by local volunteers, with funding mainly through the efforts of its supporters with the support of local businesses, schools and the wider population. In early 2024 the museum re-opened in a new, accessible, exhibition space in Chesham Town Hall. The museum aims to educate visitors about the rich history of Chesham and its past inhabitants. With a collection primarily dealing with things that are associated with Chesham, but also the outer-lying areas: Asheridge, Ashley Green, Ballinger, Bellingdon, Chartridge, Hyde Heath, Latimer, Lee Common and Ley Hill. We offers insights into a unique history of social reform and industry in Buckinghamshire, the fourth largest town.

Accessibility

There is level access to main entrance and a level area available in front of accessible entrance, weather protection is available above front door and a level threshold over entrance. The external door is an effective clear opening door width and activity space available to opening edge of door (300mm). Vision panels are on entrance doors. Manifestations to glazed panes are applied, the downstairs lobby area clear of obstacles / projections and clear signage, describing how to visit the museum is visible to guests. There are good lighting levels throughout and handrails on all stairs. The Museum space is accessible through a lift on the ground floor which can be navigated through the use of a wheelchair and is visible when entering the buildings front door. Internal fire-doors are easily opened through the use of large buttons which are placed in accessible heights on the wall and will automatically open the doors if using the stairs. The museum doorway which is the main entrance to the space , is slightly narrower than the recommended standards. It is 77.2 cm should be 80cm but this is still accessible using a wheelchair. There is adequate clearance either side of the door to navigate around.

Awards List

Chesham Museum is an Accredited Museum awarded this in March 2024 by Arts Council England, The Accreditation Scheme is the UK industry standard for museums and galleries and offers a framework, standards and monitoring in relation to collections management, visitor engagement and and governance.

Toilets

Two accessible toilets exist, upstairs where the museum is and the ground floor, the upstairs requires more signage and this is being addressed. This has an adequate opening width of door (min. 900mm), adequate room size, an outward opening door. Their is a grab-rail on inside of door and a right to left direction of transfer. The toilets, sinks, hooks, levers, and hand driers are at an accessible level and here is acceptable visual contrast between grab-rails, toilet seats ect. There is an emergency alarm system available with a pull cord.

Staff

Museum staff are currently accessing NPHT Disability Awareness Training. We are planning to attend local Dementia Friends session in-future. Stewards work in pairs and are never left unaccompanied with visitors, DBS checking is being actively rolled-out across the Museums public-facing staff.