Overview

A wheelchair accessible Christian community church situated within the Meadowhead area of Sheffield. The community church is conveniently located within a small shopping precinct and all members of the public are very welcome. Every Tuesday morning a food bank is run from the community church and coincides with the church's coffee morning and Citizen's Advice Bureau drop in clinic. The food bank offers support to those in crisis and in order to access the food bank service you must have a formal referral into the service. Visit www.gracefoodbanksheffield.org.uk, or contact the referral helpline on 07580 516 512 for more information. In the afternoon on a Tuesday a cooking class takes place, which involves the community cooking a nutritional meal together and then eating it in each other’s company. All volunteers are very welcoming and will spend time chatting to you over a cup of tea/coffee.

Transport & Parking

The food bank is accessible by car, bus, taxi and on foot. The nearest train station is roughly a 10 minute driveway in Dronfield. The bus stop is on the main road and is in close walking distance from the community church and has direct routes into Sheffield city centre. There is 1 disabled parking bay in the car park and no car parking charge applies. A dropped kerb leads from the car park to the ramp. Ideally more disabled parking spaces are requires.

Access

There is both ramped access and steps (with rail) leading from the car park to the shopping precinct. To access the community church there is ramped access which leads to the outside of the porch area. Before entering the building there is a platform which allows a person using a wheelchair to rest/reposition. There are double doors to the porch area and these open outwards (they give clearance of 165cm), a small threshold is in situ. On the right is a second double set of doors which lead to the room where the food bank and coffee morning are run from. There is no threshold, but is level access. The main community area is all level access and has adequate space for manoeuvrability and turning space. There is clear signage signposting people to the community church.

Toilets

To access the accessible toilet a person using a wheelchair would need to go through the single door to the rear of the large community room. The door width would accommodate an electric wheelchair and there is enough turning space to turn the wheelchair in the corridor so that the wheelchair is facing left. Travel down the corridor and your will notice the accessible toilet directly in front of you. The toilet is signposted and is clean and tidy. There is enough space for a carer. Key features of the disabled toilet: • Door opening 86cm/door opens outwards • Drop down rail on the right hand side of the toilet • Vertical/horizontal rail on the left hand side wall • Toilet is 19 inch in height • Sink is 90 cm high from the floor • Hand dryer is 100cm high from the floor • Lower position mirror on the wall • Lever tap with thermostatic control • Emergency pull chord in situ • Light switch in reaching distance

Staff

All members of staff and volunteers at the community church are welcoming and accommodating. I was greeted with a friendly smile and offered a drink. Everyone was very approachable and were happy to sign post members of the public to the relevant services that were running from the community church.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

From assessing the facility there appears to be no hearing loop in situ. There is no fee to access the community church's coffee morning, so no additional cost will be incurred for carers. A small donation is asked for the tea and coffee, however this is not an obligation. In order to access the Food Bank service a referral will need to be made for you - see details above. Overall, a lovely friendly and non judgemental place which welcomes people from all walks for life, certainly worth a visit if out shopping in the local area.

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