Overview

The Southbank is a very accessible entertainment complex next to the River Thames. This review is about my visit to see "You Know We Belong Together" in the Purcell Room. I live in London, Clinically Vulnerable and this was my first night out in London since February 2020 (2.5 years ago). I was apprehensive and very nervous about going out, however, the Southbank turned out to be an excellent choice as access was very easy and the production was outstanding, "You Know We Belong Together" is joyful and uplifting, very creative as it combines storytelling, video footage, audience participation (in a good way) and dance with actors who have Down syndrome.

Transport & Parking

I travelled by bus to Waterloo Bridge and from there walked to the end of the bridge and walked down to Belvedere Road. It took about 5-8 minutes (I walk very slowly). The nearest tube is Waterloo, which has some step free access but it depends which line and entrance you use.

Access

Overall, the Southbank is very accessible, step free and has plenty of lifts. This is a venue I used to visit quite regularly before covid, however, before I visited, I looked at their website and their access map, to identify a step free route. When I arrived at the Royal Festival Hall (RFH) on Belvedere Road I couldn’t remember or work out where the entrance was. What I should have done was face the RFH from Belvedere Road, walk across the courtyard and make for the far-right hand corner of the building, to the the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road, walk round the corner and follow the building round to the main entrance on the left. However, when I faced the RFH on the left-hand side there was a yellow sign saying Southbank Centre next to a step of stairs, so I made for that. As I approached, I saw a sign saying Artists’ entrance and to the right of it a much smaller sign saying Lift access to Level 2 with an arrow and an accessible lift sign. The lift was next to it. The lift takes you up to the Festival Terrace, which is also Level 2. Exiting the lift, you are outside on the terrace, not inside the building. You can only turn to your immediate right and straight in front of you is the bust of Nelson Mandela. After Mandela on your right are 2 sets of double doors, 1 manual and 1 with push button access. When I visited the automatic doors were out of order and there were 2 notices informing me about it and the manual doors immediately next to it were wide open. Once inside there is a small foyer and 2 more sets of double doors, 1 manual and 1 with push button access, which leads into a spacious, open plan foyer area and straight in front of you is the Welcome Desk. If you continue forward the Clore Ballroom is on the right and there is step free access via a ramp. If you continue straight ahead you will come to the JCB glass lift (also known as the Singing Lift), which serves all floors. As it is all glass it might not be easy to spot from a distance. When I visited the JCB lift was out of order and again there were 2 notices up explaining this and advised making your way to the Welcome Desk for assistance. However, do not panic, there are several lifts in the building and the staff are really helpful and will make sure you get safely to where you want to go. The signage is very poor throughout the building. There are signs at above head level had small print and the tiny signs, for toilets, stairs, etc. next to the wording were difficult to see even with my glasses on. Plus they only showed me where there were stairs and not the step free routes. I was a little lost as at how to get to the Purcell Room, which is in a separate building, however a member of staff who was off duty, approached me and asked if she could help and she took me there. Immediately in front of the Purcell Room entrance is a fountain with shooting jets of water, which I had to walk round to approach the building. The fountains are only there until 29 August 2022. The Purcell Room has step free access to the front row of the auditorium. The entrance is through 6 sets of manual double door of which 2 sets were wide open when I visited. Again, there is a small foyer and then another 6 sets of manual door, which again some were wide open. Inside there was a bar area (sorry my photo of that was too blurry to include) and freestanding tables and chairs. The auditorium to the right is accessed by a few steps or a ramp. Only the front row has step free seating and there are wheelchair user spaces. The seating is in terraced rows, ascending one step per row, with no handrail support and a white marker outlining the edge of the step. The seating was very comfortable. There was a BSL interpreter at the performance. I retraced my steps after the performance back to the Welcome Desk and asked to see the Changing Places toilet so I could include that in this review. As the JCB glass lift was out of order I was taken down in the goods lift, which is so spacious, down to Level 1, which is the ground/ street level floor. Here I discovered the main entrance, which is on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road and then there are a flight of steps, with a midway landing, to Level 2. There is a platform lift to the right of the steps, that take you to the midway landing where the clock room is. Also on the right of the stairs is the Changing Places toilet. There is also a priority seating area clearly signposted. However, there is very low bench seating with no back support (except for the wall) and no arms. This would be too low for me to transfer safely. However, a fantastic idea to have this.

Toilets

There is a Changing Places toilet on Level 1 (Ground floor/ Street Level) and accessible toilets of each floor of the RFH and an accessible toilet in the Purcell Room building. I used the accessible toilet in the Purcell Room building and it was clean, spacious, clutter free, plenty of grab rails and an emergency cord that reached towards the floor. Accessible toilets do not require a key. I asked to see the Changing Places toilet for the purpose of this review, but I did not use the facilities. The Changing Places toilet requires a key which is available from the Welcome Desk on Level 2. When I asked for it, it was produced immediately, staff knew where it was kept. I was escorted down on the Goods Lift as the JCB glass lift was out of order. Next to the Changing Places toilet is a telephone which on picking up connects directly with the Welcome Desk without you having to dial a number and they will arrange for key access. The toilet is cleaned after each visitor. The toilet is extremely spacious and well planned out. There is a height-adjustable bench, tracking hoist system, a centrally-placed toilet, a height-adjustable basin and a shower. When I spoke to staff they said that disabled people knowing that they have a Changing Places toilet sometimes just drop in to use the facilities and they are supportive of that, which is good to know. Their website says that “For health and safety reasons we do not provide slings. Visitors are asked to bring their own which should be compatible with the loop system.”

Staff

Staff were fantastic, outstanding, extremely welcoming and helpful. There was the off-duty member of staff who helped me find the Purcell Room. Then after the performance I spoke with Lawrence, who was working at the Welcome Desk and to his manager Milton and we all had a really positive and productive discussion about access. Here are a few of the things discussed: On event days there are two workers dedicated to providing access support. This operates like special assistance at stations, airports, etc. This does not have to be pre-booked you can just turn up on the day and request it. However, if people have booked a wheelchair space or accessible seating, they already are aware of this and it gives them an idea of where the support maybe required. Within their programme there are regular British Sign Language interpreters, captioning, audio description and relaxed performances. “Unlimited” a programme of events by disabled artists is on from 7 – 11 September 2022 and they are aware that visitors maybe clinically vulnerable and staff are being encouraged to wear masks. Changing Room toilet is available and disabled visitors and their carers can spend what time they need using its facilities. They are not rushed out. Southbank staff are currently receiving their annual access training. Feedback from visitors is welcomed and encouraged as there is a commitment to keep reviewing and improving access. I raised the issue of building signage and showed Milton and Lawrence my photos to explain what I found difficult. Milton accepted the issue of signage, made notes and planned to raise it the next day and review it. Having felt very apprehensive as a CV and disabled person having a night out after so long, this felt like such a safe and inclusive space, and the staff greatly contributed to creating this feeling of comfort and accessibility. I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff group for all their hard work.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The Southbank have premiered "You Know We Belong Together" outside of Australia. As a disabled person it was wonderful it see disabled actors perform a production which addressed and celebrated lived experience of people with Down syndrome. I felt our community was seen. Southbank are continuing this with their “Unlimited” a programme of events by disabled artists is on from 7 – 11 September 2022. When I visited one of the lifts wasn’t working but it wasn’t a hassle as there were other lifts and staff went out of their way to ensure I got where I needed to be. So often it’s not about access being perfect in a venue but staff’s attitude. Here it was supportive, creative and quickly finding solutions. Please review your signage to the main entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road, off Belvedere Road and generally around the building. Please consider maybe doing large overhead symbol signage for step free routes and accessible toilets. Also when writing this I just thought could there be large markers placed above the JCB glass lift doors so it’s easier to spot from a distance. Thank you. Overall, a fabulous experience, not only was it so enjoyable, it’s also given me more confidence as a disabled person about going for a night out. This is huge after shielding. If you’re unsure about getting back out there again in London, I think Southbank is a great place to start. I will certainly be back soon. Thank you so much Southbank.

Photos