Venue Description

Watermans is the major arts centre in West London and an independent charity with a wide outreach programme. We house an independent cinema that seats 121 + 3 wheelchairs, theatre that seats 230 + 4 wheelchairs, contemporary art gallery and creative spaces for the community. There’s a year round programme of film, children’s theatre, performing arts such as cabaret and comedy, and free exhibitions. We’re situated in a stunning location on the banks of the River Thames, opposite Kew Gardens with a large riverside café bar and restaurant. We’re a social enterprise which means that any money we make is ploughed back into providing events and opportunities to take part for the whole community. Our mission is to bring communities together through cultural participation. We believe it isn’t just important to reach audiences, but to get audiences to take part in the Arts. This idea drives everything we do. It means that there are always things to do here for people from all walks of life. It means that we make a point of catering for minority groups, disabled groups and marginalised groups. It also means that we treat these groups just like everybody else. We give them the same access and opportunities but we also have the same expectations for them. We deliver an extensive learning and participation programme for young people which offers over 2000 sessions per year with attendances of over 50,000. Programmes are typically focused on creative skills development, raising aspirations and introducing young people to creative employment opportunities. We are passionate about taking arts and culture outside to places where people naturally gather, such as at the outdoor venue we operate in Hounslow: Bell Square. Or seeking out new audiences in places where you don’t usually expect to see the Arts, such as our leading role in Hounslow’s Creative People and Places programme. Come and visit – we look forward to welcoming you!

Accessibility

Our building is fully accessible. If you are registered disabled, we always allow for one free carer ticket as well as your disabled concession. We have parking spaces reserved for disabled visitors and the venue can be accessed directly from the car park. Please ensure that your Blue Badge is clearly displayed and that you register your number plate at the Box Office in order to validate your free parking. This is necessary due to our automated parking system. There is a lift for access to all levels. There are ramps to the Box Office level and the Theatre and Cinema level. Both Cinema and Theatre have spaces for wheelchairs, however our Box Office Manager should be told if you require one at the time of booking as these spaces are inevitably limited There are disabled toilet facilities on the Riverside level. Backstage facilities are also accessible to disabled performers. There is an audio loop in the Cinema for people with hearing difficulties and a portable unit for use in the Theatre. If you have any particular access requirements please inform the Duty Manager, before you arrive if possible.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.watermans.org.uk/your-visit/accessibility/

Accessible Performances

Backstage facilities are also accessible to disabled performers. Our building is fully accessible. If you have any access requirements please inform the Duty Manager, before you arrive if possible.

Awards List

We have been awarded the Social Enterprise mark and are an accredited ISO 9001 company. We work with a wide variety of funders and partners, including: Arts Council England – we are a National Portfolio Organisation and also lead Creative People & Places in Hounslow, ACE’s major investment in engaging new audiences in the Arts in areas of low engagement. London Borough of Hounslow – we are awarded contracts to provide a year-round high-quality arts programme in the borough and deliver projects with outcomes for specific groups. Hounslow Short Breaks – we run a year-round arts programme for families with a disabled child in partnership with Hounslow’s Short Breaks programme. GLA – we have delivered the outdoor arts programme at Bell Square in Hounslow Town Centre, supported by GLA Social Investment Business – we received a major investment to develop our capacity to deliver public sector contracts via the Futurebuilders programme. Corporate Partners – GSK, Heathrow Community Fund, Citroen and other partners have played a key role in supporting individual projects. Schools – we work with many local schools to engage children and young people in the arts with hands on activities such as lantern making for Hounslow’s Winter Lights event, or bringing them into the centre for events such as Shakespeare Schools and NT Connections.

Toilets

There are disabled toilet facilities on the Riverside level accessible with a Radar Key (part of the Radar Key national scheme). If you don't own one you can ask the Key at the bar.

Staff

Our duty managers are First Aid trained and our friendly staff is always keen to help.