Accessibility at SWFLC

Carer attendance policy

For customers who require the support of a carer to access activities, one carer may attend free of charge.

To qualify for a complimentary carer space, you need to provide one of the following forms of evidence before booking:

• a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), addressed to the carer, confirming their entitlement to Carer's Allowance

• the carer's company identification badge, if a customer is supported by a paid professional carer

If you require a carer space to be added to your booking, you need to contact the centre directly to make arrangements.

Parking  

We offer four extra wide accessible parking bays at South Woodham. These are positioned in the car park adjacent to the centre.  

Access into the centre  

All entrances and exits are level flooring with a low sloped ramp for entrance/exit, as well as a wide glass barrier for wheelchair entrance/exit.  

Movement around centre  

The centre has level floors all around the ground floor, as well as easy access male and female changing rooms.  We have wide access and entry and exit routes throughout the centre.  

Visual impairments and assistance animals

The doors and signage are in contrasting colours to their surrounds to make them more easily identifiable. Assistance animals are welcome in centre to assist their owners.  

Changing and toilets  

Wet change  

We have a Changing Places facility at South Woodham Ferrers located in the swimming pool changing room, this facility contains two lockers. 

Dry change  

No lockers in the dry change facility, we would recommend using the pool facility for changing and then access all Dry facilities from here. 

Toilets  

In the swimming pool we have two accessible toilets in addition to the changing places facility. 

Pool accessibility

The spectator area is easily accessible through the door next to the eating area and vending machines. Once in the viewing area you will find three areas set into the viewing seating designed for wheelchair access. 

Pool pod

We have a pool pod to provide access to our pool.

The pod is designed to make accessing swimming pools simple and dignified for all users. It eliminates the need to transfer from a wheelchair poolside to use the pod, as a submersible wheelchair can be provided. This allows you to go straight from the pod into the water.

The pod’s controls are illuminated and have tactile buttons, making them easy to find and use for anyone with visual impairments. There is also voice assistance available for visually impaired users, to guide you through how to use the pod, and centre staff will be on hand and happy to provide assistance.

You can also use the pod with a care giver or a companion. The pod  can accommodate:

• two seated adults

• one seated adult with two children

• one wheelchair user with a care giver

• users who prefer to remain standing

Gym

Our gym is fully accessible to those with visual impairments, including those with assistance animals, and wheelchair users.