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The Age Exchange

11 Blackheath Village, Blackheath, London, SE3 9LA

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • Services/facilities within the building include:.
    • Upper Ground level - café, reminiscence lounge, box office, accessible computer, access to garden.
    • Lower Ground - Blackheath Library, meeting/ training room, accessible toilets .
    • Basement (The Pit) - computer suite.
    • Services/facilities within the grounds include Old Bakehouse Theatre, garden.
    • Age Exchange works with older people to improve their quality of life by valuing their reminiscences and giving them opportunities for wider appreciation in the form of:.
    • •visual and performance arts projects.
    • •intergenerational projects.
    • •exhibitions.
    • •publications.
    • •documentary film.
    • The centre also provides training courses for professional carers of people with dementia and organises support groups for family carers of those with dementia.
    • All ages and sections of the community are welcome to use the facilities of the Age Exchange.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • The centre is also open outside these times for special events and performances in the Old Bakehouse Theatre.

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the area.
  • This venue is situated in Blackheath.
  • The venue is situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Blackheath.

Parking (Staff & Blue Badge Car Park)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can booked in advance.
    • There is/are 0 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 0m () from the 0.
    • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • 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
    • There is level access from the car park into the main building via the platform lift from the garden to the café.
    • Blackheath Station car park (vehicle access off Hurren Close) is opposite the venue.

Parking (On-Street)

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Standard pay & display on street parking is available on Bennett Park Road, Monday - Saturday 09:00 - 19:00, with a maximum 2 hours stay and no return within 2 hours.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • Second set of doors View
    • The automatic doors are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).

Outside Access (Garden Entrance to Cafe)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open away from you (push).
  • The doors are single width.
  • The doors are heavy.
  • The door opening is 83cm (2ft 9in) wide.

Level Change (Garden Entrance to Cafe)

  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • The steps are located leading from the garden to the entrance.
  • There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The steps are deep.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • There is a standard and / or platform lift to access this service.

Lift (Garden Entrance to Cafe)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in front of the garden entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are Garden - Upper Ground.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is 1m (3ft 3in) from garden entrance to cafe.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 148cm (2ft 7in x 4ft 10in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.

Reception (Box Office)

  • The reception desk is 10m (32ft 10in) from the lift.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • This is by lift.
  • The reception desk is low height.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in the cafe.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • The images are of the reminiscence lounge on the upper ground floor.

Restaurant Bar Internal

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 15m (16yd) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 59cm (1ft 11in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
  • Menus are wall only.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located towards the front of the centre.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG-G-UG.
  • The lift is 6m (19ft 8in) from 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 95cm x 150cm (3ft 1in x 4ft 11in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-LG-G-UG.
    • There are 7-6-9 steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is bright.
  • Comments View
    • The computer suite in 'The pit' (basement) off the lower ground floor level is not served by the lift and is not accessible.
    • For this reason there is an additional computer on the upper ground floor, accessible by lift.

Other Floors (Library - Lounge Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-UG.
    • There are 13 steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is medium.
  • Comments View
    • This second set of stairs links the rear of the library with the reminiscence lounge in the centre of the building.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor, at the rear of the library.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 250cm (4ft 10in x 8ft 2in).
    • There is not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are 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 both sides.
    • 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 toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can 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 poor.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a second accessible toilet adjacent to (to the left of) the one described.
    • This toilet is identical but laid out with the transfer space on the opposite hand (left).
    • There is a baby change facility in the left-hand accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change bench once extended is 78cm ( 2ft 6in) high.

Standard Toilet(s)

Outside Access (Theatre Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the theatre.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open away from you (push).
  • The doors are single width.
  • The doors are heavy.
  • The door opening is 83cm (2ft 9in) wide.

Level Change (Theatre Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 113cm (3ft 8in).

Theatre (Old Bakehouse Theatre)

  • Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • This venue does provide audio described performances.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • Comments View
    • The Old Bakehouse Theatre is a multi-purpose performance space in a separate building at the rear of Age Exchange.
    • The floor is level and without fixed seating, which is arranged according to the use.
    • There is a raised stage at one end of the room and a screen which can be used for film screenings.
    • The space is also used for tea dances, meetings and other functions.
    • There is a small foyer bar/ refreshment area for serving drinks.

Accessible Toilet (Theatre)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • The accessible toilet cubicle was being used for storage at the time of the survey.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the theatre entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the right of the stair lobby, off the performance space.
    • 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 inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 165cm x 200cm (5ft 5in x 6ft 7in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are not available.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not 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 towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 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.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • The baby change facilities are located in the theatre accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 78cm (2ft 6in).

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.
  • Plastic cups are not available.
  • Plastic cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available on request.
  • Children are welcomed at the venue.