Venue Description

We are a unique, award-winning charity, tackling loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and friendship. As part of our charitable offering, we provide community space venues in Shawlands, Troon and Alloa where people are welcome to come in for a free hot drink and a biscuit, and enjoy the company of our companionship dogs, staff and volunteers. At our venues, we offer group activities and relaxing therapy treatments to over 60s, for free, and their beloved canine companions are welcome too.

Accessibility

This venue has push door access and a member of our team is always available to open the door for visitors. Behind the door there is a fully accessible short wooden gate, this is kept closed to ensure safety of the dogs on the premises in the event the door is opened while they are roaming. This gate opens fully and the floor below it is flat, meaning that it is accessible to large wheelchairs and walking frames. Entering the premises brings you directly into the tea, chat and activity area of this venue - these services are accessible. Our tables are a standard height and we are able to move chairs, as required, to facilitate wheelchair users. We normally have a team dog who is allowed to free roam the premises and occasionally have visiting dogs in the premises too. Any visiting dogs should be kept on a short lead. We occasionally have background music playing in the venue, however we can change the volume or turn music off as required. Our toilet facilities on this premises are not accessible to all, a step over a small lip is required to move from the main area to the toilet facilities. The toilet and hand washing areas are small and narrow, making them inaccessible to most wheelchairs.

Awards List

Awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) - The King’s Birthday Honours June 2023 Winner of: Special Recognition Award at The People’s Pet Awards September 2022 Winner of: Pride of Scotland Community Hero Award (TSB Community Hero) June 2022 Winner of: Celebrating Communities at The Scottish Charity Awards June 2019 Winner of: Amazing Contribution to Community category at the Amazing Women Awards March 2019 Winner of: International Fund for Animal Welfare’s ‘Community Award’ October 2016 Winner of: Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award September 2015

Toilets

Our toilet facilities on this premises are not accessible for all A step over a small lip is required to move from the main area to the toilet facilities. The toilet and hand washing areas are small and narrow, making them inaccessible to most wheelchairs.

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

We have water available at all times for all visiting dogs. Queen's Park is directly across the road from the venue, with a grassy area there which would be the closes area to take dogs for a toilet break. There are also several more grassy areas further into the park.