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Southway Community and Family Hub

Southway Youth Centre, Hendwell Close, Plymouth, PL6 6TB

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left after you enter the building.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the left after you enter the building.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the standard female toilet.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the left of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay has faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 235cm (width) x 445cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 50cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 27m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and a very easy slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Hendwall Close.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 109cm.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 107cm.
  • The push pad for the door was not working at the time of survey (October 2025).
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 108cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Café)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the main entrance along the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 145cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 112cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Some signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Area

  • The activity area is located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • The width of the opening is 213cm.
  • Facilities available in this area include: A hall which can be used for various events throughout the day.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Seating and table arrangements will depend upon the event taking place.

Room (Meeting)

  • The room is located to the left after you enter the building.
  • The distance from the entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • 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 flashing fire alarm.
  • There is background noise in this room which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Eating and Drinking

  • Location and Access View
    • The café is located to the right if you enter the building via the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered and colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus are handheld, wall-mounted and displayed on the counter.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, nut allergy and vegetarian.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located straight ahead after you enter the café.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 94cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
    • Furniture available in this area 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 may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left after you enter the building.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 13m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 162cm (width) x 271cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 93cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 106cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 84cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.