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Open Arms

Glenvarna Christian Centre, 34A Ballynure Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 5SW

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a main worship hall, ancillary rooms, prayer room, offices and a cafe.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include a church hall and a charity shop which opens on Saturdays.
  • Comments View
    • The Advice Centre which operates on a Monday morning offers practical assistance with a wide range of areas such as:.
    • - Disability Living Allowance.
    • - Job Seekers Allowance.
    • - Income Support.
    • - Child Maintenance.
    • - Crisis Loans.
    • - Blue Badge Applications.
    • - Preparation of CVs.
    • - General Form Filling.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Mossley West.
  • Comments View
    • The Open Arms Centre is located by Houstons Corner Roundabout on Ballynure Road. Take the Doagh Road and the centre is on the left.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The Blue Badge parking area is adjacent to the main entrance.
    • 3 bays are marked during services and events and left clear at other times.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played before and during services in the main hall.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Main Hall and Rooms

  • The main hall is located beyond the entrance lobby.
  • There is level access to the main hall.
  • Services and larger events are held in the main hall.
  • At the rear of the main hall is a games rooms with pool table, snooker table and table tennis.
  • There is also a creche used during meetings.
  • On the first floor there is the prayer room, multi-purpose rooms and offices.

Eating and Drinking (Cafe)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • The cafe is located to the right as you enter.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 72cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the entrance lobby.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 136cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

General Office and Advice Centre

  • The church general office on the first floor and is also used as the advice centre.
  • It is 8m from the lift.
  • The door opens away from you, has an 86cm clear opening and is heavy.
  • Within the office there is clear manoeuvering space.
  • The desk has a clear space underneath of 71cm for wheelchair users.

Accessible Shower

  • Accessible shower facilities are available.
  • The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the first floor, at the rear of the building.
  • The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a shower chair.
  • Other facilities available include; a toilet and hand basin.
  • There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the first floor, within a shared toilet cubicle.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • The shower cubicle(s) / area is / are accessed via a medium step.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear of the main hall.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 210cm x 238cm (6ft 11in x 7ft 10in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are open waste paper bin and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet cubicle.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 92cm (3ft).

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located to the side of the building.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is normally on duty.
  • Staff are trained to BSL level 3.
  • Home visits / services are available.