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Essence Service

The Sir Thomas Allen Centre, Mill Hill Road, Doxford Park, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR3 2ND

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The service offers a wide range of practical and emotional support, including:.
  • Information to help you improve and maintain good health and wellbeing.
  • Signposting to relevant organisations concerning legal and financial issues.
  • Helping you to access other services that will benefit you.
  • Emotional and peer support to help you understand and deal with your dementia diagnosis in a positive way.
  • A variety of activities that meet your needs and interests which are designed to keep your mind and body active.
  • Support for carers providing a listening ear as well as practical support and assistance.
  • Free Understanding Dementia for Carers Training is available covering:.
  • – What is dementia.
  • – Brain, behaviour and memory.
  • – The Ageing Senses and Stages of Dementia.
  • – Communication and Coping Strategies for Carers.
  • – Resources – Finances, Social Care and Support networks.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Sunderland.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

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 4 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 369cm x 598cm (12ft 1in x 19ft 7in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • 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.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 122cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 146cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There are bollards in front of the entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards is 132cm.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is Braille, written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear left of the reception foyer.
    • 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 lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 134cm (6ft 3in x 4ft 5in).
    • 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 122cm (4ft).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 sanitary and open waste paper 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 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 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 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 medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar accessible toilet adjacent to this one as shown in photographs 3 and 4.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested 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 on the grass surrounding the building.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Home visits / services are available.