Accessibility for All
CCC Disability Policy

Disability Access Statement

Introduction

Despite being built on a hillside, at the Cotswold Conference Centre (CCC) we have tried to make moving around the site easy for everyone. We have two types of customers to the estate – during the week, we welcome the corporate client, while at the weekend we welcome a wider range of people including many elderly, and some with disabilities. The estate is 340 acres and the CCC buildings are positioned at the bottom of the estate. It consists of 6 buildings linked by road, paths and steps. Bedrooms are housed in 4 buildings, training rooms in three buildings one of which, Smallbrook, houses Reception, the Dining Room and Bar. If our customers have any special needs or requirements, it is important for them to contact us in advance of their stay so that they can enjoy all aspects of our facilities.

Staff

Our staff are trained in Disability Awareness. Induction of all new staff includes a training booklet and the viewing of a Disabilities Rights Commission video entitled “Talk - Actions speak louder than words”. Our Customer Promise and “Can Do” approach to customer service ensures that ALL customers are looked after no matter what their disability.

Pre-arrival/Website/brochures

Our website has the facility to change text size and our brochures and leaflets can be copied up to A3 size where required.

Arrival

The Centre is located on a 340 acre estate which is reached from the A44 by small side road. Past the first car park, is the security barrier, pressing the buzzer links you to the Security control room. Once checked against arrival lists, the barrier will be raised and you will need to proceed down the estate for almost a mile following the white lines down to Smallbrook Reception. It is important if you have any walking problems, that you advise us in advance so that arrangements can be made to ensure your arrival experience is smooth.

Car Parking

We have car parks situated next to all our training and accommodation blocks and furthermore we are happy to assist those who are less physically able around the site. There are disabled car parking spaces reserved outside Brook House, Springfield House and Smallbrook. Access from these spaces is on a level or by ramp. The access into Smallbrook is either via the new (April 2009) disabled parking spaces which is on a level or from P1 car park via a ramp, which has a steep camber.

Facilities Building (Smallbrook)

A single story building with main Reception, Dining Room, Lounge Bar and small gym are all located easily on a level. There are a couple of slight ramps in the corridor. Access to the car park is by steps (with hand rail) and a ramp. New disabled car parking spaces have been added on the same level as the building access, sign posted from the road. A bell (which rings in Reception) is fitted close to the parking spaces to summon help if needed.
Reception has a lower counter for wheelchair checkin access and a hearing loop system. We do suggest, however, that due to the fact bedrooms are in a different location from the Reception, those with mobility issues inform the security barrier on arrival, and the Receptionist will go out to the customer’s car to check them into the Centre. The main entrance has double doors which open out and are covered by access control.
The Lounge Bar has a lower level counter and is also fitted with a hearing loop system. Chairs in the lounge are free standing.
The Dining Room offers a self service system from counters. For those that require assisted service, the staff are on hand to help.
Toilets - there is a separate disabled toilet close to the entrance to the building. This has an alarm fitted.
The gym – this area also includes a disabled changing and shower area. There is a ramp into the gym which for safety reasons has a CCTV with monitor in the Security Control Room.

Exterior

As originally stated, the Centre is located on a beautiful hillside with magnificent views. All the buildings are linked by paths, steps and roads which are discreetly lit due to planning regulations. However, as part of the Centre’s “Can Do” culture, our Conference Service Assistants (CSA’s) are available with company Estate car to give lifts between buildings where required. They have a mobile phone and can be contacted from all buildings.
Access to all buildings – most of the buildings are access controlled with card “swipe” and are at sensible heights for wheelchair users. At weekends, when we have a number of persons with special needs, the system is changed to require “swipe” only and no pin number to make it easier.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are housed in four accommodation buildings (Foxhill Cottages; Dales Croft; Brook House & Picton House). As we are built on a hill side, the majority of the ground floor bedrooms are accessed via a minimum of 3 steps – a hand rail is adjacent.
The bedrooms all have en suite facilities, some with showers, some with baths and some with both. Many of the showers have grab rails and all have a step into the shower tray of at least 23cm (9”). A wooden step has been made for the higher shower trays in Dales Croft bedrooms. WC’s are at normal height 42cm (16½”) except disabled toilets which have an extension allowing for wheelchair transfer. These heights are 48cm (19”)
Brook House was built in 1999 and includes four bedrooms for persons with disabilities and are suitable for wheelchairs. However, to access the shower, there is a 20cm (8”) step up. The showers have either a fold down stool or a stand alone stool. For delegates who are hard of hearing, as well as an audible fire alarm, there is a flashing light and vibrating pillow which activate when the fire alarm sounds.
All bedrooms benefit from telephones and televisions with teletext.

Training/Meeting/Conference Rooms

These rooms are located either in:-

Smallbrook Suite – this large suite of rooms includes one main room and four small syndicate rooms. It is located on the ground floor with no steps in the building. It is reached from the car park, either by steps (with hand rail) or on the level from the new disabled parking spaces.

Springfield House – there are 4 training rooms and 3 syndicate rooms in this building over three floors. There is a lift in this building to all floors which measures 94.9cm x 136.8cm. The load is 630kgs and takes a maximum of 8 people. The door size is 79.8cm when open. The lift is serviced monthly on contract. The largest room on the top floor has a hearing loop fitted. There is a ladies toilet on the ground floor and gents on the first floor. Both toilets have a cubicle suitable for a wheelchair and are fitted with an alarm system.

Brook House – there are two rooms in this building, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor, unfortunately there is no lift in this building, just stairs with a hand rail. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet in this building.

We also own a portable hearing loop system, which was purchased in March 2007 from the RNID.

Dietary Needs

The Catering department are well aware that many people require different catering needs. Over the years we have been asked for (and have served) many special diets and we welcome your requests so that we can ensure you enjoy your whole stay with us. It is helpful to let us know of any special requests in advance in case we need to make special purchases.

Healthcare

We do not have any medical facilities on the estate, but a local GP will help with any medical problems if they arise. There is a small A&E facility at Evesham Hospital which is 7 miles away, while the nearest full facility A&E hospital is at Cheltenham which is 20 miles away. The Centre has a number of First Aiders on site, some of whom are also trained in the use of the estate’s defibrillator.

Travel by Train

The nearest stations to us are on the London to Worcester and Hereford Line and are either Moreton-in-Marsh (from London) or Evesham (from Worcester). If you have any special needs, it is advisable to either view the station’s websites – Moreton-in-Marsh www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/MIM.html#Accessibility  - or Evesham www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/EVE.html Accessibility. Assist booking line for both stations - Tel 0800 197 1329 Textphone 0800 294 9209 Monday-Friday 07:00-22:00 Saturday-Sunday 07:00-21:00). Both stations are served by First Great Western, web site is www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. Taxi’s can be organised to meet your arrival train with notice. Please let us know if you have any disability so that we can inform the taxi driver.

Emergencies

There is 24 hour security on the estate and they can easily be contacted via the telephone system. Security will have been informed of any persons who have disabilities, so that in the event of an emergency, these people can be catered for first.


Completed March 2009