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The Gathering Fields Wellbeing Centre

Swainshead Hall Farm, Over Wyresdale, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 9DN

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Gathering Fields is a well-being centre offering 8 bedrooms, teaching/learning spaces and a Bunkhouse Barn.
    • Services available in the venue include: Forest bathing, sound meditation, yoga, ayurveda and flower essence therapy, nature-based workshops, retreats, family breaks and community groups.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the classroom, various outdoor areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the front door to the Bunkhouse Barn.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
    • There is not a toilet with adaptations available.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: walking aids.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located the classroom.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • Staff receive the following training: Therapeutic Nature Wellness Practitioner Training.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in the main farm courtyard.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of cobbles, grass and concrete.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Bunkhouse Barn)

  • This entrance is located in the centre of the building, off the main courtyard.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 8cm.
  • There is a key lock at a height of 96cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is the option of using the larger, sliding door as the entrance for guests with access needs. This door has an opening width of 240cm and leads into the communal kitchen area.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 8cm.

Lounge (Bunkhouse Barn)

  • The lounge is located to the left hand side after entering.
  • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the lounge includes: sofas and stools.
  • Furniture available in the lounge includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is no TV.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Area (Bunkhouse Barn Sleeping Pods)

  • There are 4 sleeping pods in this area, each with 2 bunk beds.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope into this area.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • Facilities available in this area include: bunk beds.
  • Access throughout the area may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • The lower bunk beds are 43cm high with a space underneath of 30cm. There are ladders to reach the upper bunks.

Kitchen (Communal Kitchen Area)

  • The kitchen is located in the Bunkhouse Barn.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • The work surface is 93cm from the floor.
  • The sink is 93cm from the floor.
  • The sink has a twist/turn tap.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge and a kettle.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Pottery classes are also run in this area. There is the option to use the larger, sliding door as the entrance for guests with access needs, with an opening width of 240cm, leading into the communal kitchen area.
    There is a another entrance on the other side of this area with an opening width of 118cm.

Standard Shower Facilities

  • The standard shower facilities surveyed are located in the Bunkhouse Barn, next to the kitchen area.
  • The distance from the kitchen is 2m.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
  • There is stepped access into the showers.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 4cm.
  • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a fixed height shower head.
  • The shower controls are push.
  • There is no shower seat.
  • Additional features include: a coat hook and a shelf.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Standard Toilet Facilities

  • The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located in the Bunkhouse Barn.
  • The distance from the kitchen is 1m.
  • The most accessible route has doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope .
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 70cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wash basin, a soap dispenser and a hand towel available.
  • The wash basin has a twist/turn tap.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Room (Teaching Room - Retreat Barn)

  • The room is located opposite the Bunkhouse Barn.
  • The distance from the Bunkhouse Barn is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has a very easy slope and uneven surfaces.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 75cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the kitchen area, the upper storage areas, the alternative entrance/exit door.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, benches and stools.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables and desks.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a wash basin.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a refreshment service counter in this room at a height of 105cm. The main front entrance is stepped, the side entrance is the most accessible.

Seating Area

  • Location and Access View
    • This communal seating and communal area is located between the Retreat Barn and the campsite.
    • The most accessible route has slight ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area, this may include the use of a lift.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.

Camping and Caravanning

  • There are more than 10 pitches available.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope into the pitch area.
  • There is open access.
  • Pitch areas consist of wood bark and grass.
  • There are no footpaths.
  • Parking areas are not available.
  • The access road around the site does not have designated crossing points.
  • Amenities and Facilities View
    • The following facilities are available: a toilet block, a shower block, water and toilet disposal, a kitchen, dish washing facilities and recycling facilities.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: some lower and upper levels of the campsite.
    • There are 2 composting toilets, with stepped access. Guests can use the communal kitchen, standard shower and toilet facilities at the Bunkhouse Barn.

Outdoor Spaces (Brenda's Meadow, Polytunnel Garden and Goats)

  • The following is available in this area: farmland and open countryside.
  • Outdoor areas consist of grass, compact earth and uncompacted earth.
  • There are footpaths in some areas.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: some upper and lower parts of the fields.
  • The following areas have stepped access: stiles to access some areas.
  • There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • The paths have stiles, narrow gaps and uneven surfaces.