YSP: Where Art and The Outdoors Can Be Accessed by All
Planning a day out if you are a person with a disability or have a disabled companion can feel like a full-time task, exhausting in itself before you even get out of the door. According to research for the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, more than half of people with a disability, or their carers, spend between 2 and 5 hours planning a day out. The majority of this research (92 per cent) is conducted online. When it’s an outdoor venue anxiety levels can be even higher, but there are options and help at hand. Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) located near Wakefield is just a few minutes from J38 of the M1. Since opening in 1977, the visitor attraction has strived to offer access to art, no matter what your physical, emotional or economic circumstances. As a registered charity and accredited museum, YSP has 500 acres of beautiful parkland with outdoor and covered gallery spaces, a restaurant, cafés and gift shops. As part of its accessibility work, it won the 2023 Tourist Attraction of the Year Award for Yorkshire and the Cultural Attraction Award. YSP has an ongoing commitment to making its buildings, programmes, and experiences as accessible and inclusive as possible to all visitors. WHAT YSP HAS TO OFFER: ENJOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS YSP has four off-road mobility scooters, which are available to hire free of charge during a visit, they recommend getting in touch to reserve one before you visit. A member of the team will show you how to use the scooter and suggest tips on where to go. Scooters can travel on most outdoor surfaces, but the team will advise if there are any areas which are unsuitable due to weather and seasonal conditions or suggest the best routes. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow for visiting inside the galleries. There’s also a handy accessibility detailed guide that you can download prior to a visit: Download our detailed Accessibility Guide. EATING INSIDE OR OUTDOORS YSP’s cafés and restaurant have flexible seating, with loose tables and chairs, both indoors and outdoors and help will be on hand to assist in finding a suitable place to sit. Benches are dotted throughout the outdoor areas if you need to take a break during your visit. The majority of these are located in the areas near the Underground Gallery, Bothy Gallery, Visitor Centre, and lakeside paths. Seating can also be found in all the galleries, Visitor Centre concourse and cafés. Outside, there are picnic benches near the YSP Learning building and the Visitor Centre. These have fixed seating but also include some wheelchair-accessible benches. Visitors can get in touch if they have any specific queries about accessibility or would like more information to support a visit. ysp.org.uk Images courtesy of YSP
Accessible Hideaways and Retreats in Norfolk and Yorkshire
Norfolk Accessible Hideaways The Able Stables, East Rudham | Sleeps 2, short breaks from £307 https://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/sandringham-surrounding-villages/east-rudham-holiday-cottages/the-able-stables-sams-cottage A beautifully converted stable, this cottage offers a stunning and unique stay with level access throughout. Thoughtfully designed to be wheelchair-friendly, it features wide doorways, an accessible kitchen and a wet room, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience. The Able Stables can arrange for either a right or left transfer for the bed when set up as a double, and raise the bed to accommodate a hoist, via an excellent Norwich-based company that rents hoists out on a weekly basis. The heart of this property is a truly amazing connected outdoor and indoor sitting room with ample comfortable seating, a dining area, a wood burning stove and overhead heating. Bootlegger’s Barn, Heacham | Sleeps 4, short breaks from £408 https://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/heacham-surrounding-villages/heacham-holiday-cottages/bootleggers-barn This charming barn conversion provides a spacious and accessible retreat, with its open-plan living area, ground-floor bedroom and wet room. Outside, the enclosed courtyard hosts a dining area with accompanying charcoal barbecue, french dining set and ornamental water well, making it perfect for guests seeking a relaxing and accessible holiday. Major’s Lodge (Watatunga), Watlington | Sleeps 8, short breaks from £1455 https://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/rural-norfolk/watlington-holiday-cottages/majors-lodge Situated within the stunning Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, Major’s Lodge offers an accessible stay with panoramic views of the surrounding nature. This single storey, fully-accessible detached lodge sleeps eight guests and is positioned with uninterrupted views over the wildlife that roam in the 170 acre reserve. The property has four bedrooms complete with two bathrooms as well as a wet room. Spot a mountain bongo grazing just metres away from the private terrace or sitting room window; or make use of the state-of-the-art bird hide for sundowners overlooking the main lake. With access to electric buggies, guests can take their time and enjoy the ever changing expanses of the woodland, savannah and lakes. West Heath, Brancaster Staithe | Sleeps 12, short breaks from £2491 https://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/brancaster-surrounding-villages/brancaster-staithe-holiday-cottages/west-heath A spacious and accessible holiday home, West Heath provides luxurious accommodation with level access, an accessible ground-floor bedroom and a large wet room. With a laid back, modern high-tech interior, this is a seriously sensational detached retreat, coupled with extremely close proximity to the glorious coast and fantastic pubs and restaurants. Yorkshire Accessible Hideaways Canny Grouse Barn, Kirkby Stephen | Sleeps 6, short breaks from £790 https://www.yorkshirehideaways.co.uk/yorkshire-dales/kirkby-stephen-and-surrounding-villages/kirkby-stephen-holiday-cottages/canny-grouse-barn Nestled in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, this barn conversion is designed for accessibility. It features a ground-floor bedroom, step-free access and a wet room, offering a perfect countryside retreat with stunning views and modern amenities. The surrounding area offers numerous accessible trails and pathways, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. For those looking to enhance their outdoor adventures, Canny Grouse Barn offers the option to hire a Terrain Hopper. This impressive mobility power scooter, designed with distinctive looks and extreme off-road capabilities, ensures that everyone can explore the stunning landscapes with complete ease. Visit Norfolk Hideaways here and visit Yorkshire Hideaways here.
FreshWipes: The go to brand for when showering is not an option
Plastic Free Wipes – 100% Biodegradable FreshWipes launched in 2020 with extra-large, extra-wet adult body wipes that are designed to clean your body whenever you can’t shower. Imagine how good you would feel if you could quickly and easily remove body odour, freshen up and feel clean, even if you haven’t showered for days. FreshWipes makes that possible. Forget worrying about odour, no more standing at the sink or worrying about slipping/falling in the shower or bath. Just one, quick, easy, portable pack of body wipes ensures you can clean yourself from the comfort of your chair, bed, tent or vehicle without fuss. Key Product Details • 12 x Rinse-Free,Thick Body Wipes • Each Body wipe is 30x20cm/8×12″ • Biodegradable & Plastic-Free • Antibacterial to remove body odour • Gorgeous light coconut or grapefruit scents (unscented also available) • Only one body wipe needed for a full body wash • Saturated with moisture to fully cleanse your body • Vegan friendly and not tested on animals Sustainability. FreshWipes are made from a biodegradable viscose – a natural material derived from wood pulp, which is treated and spun into yarns to make an entirely biodegradable fabric. Brand Background. In 2019, before creating FreshWipes, Founder Liz Barnes worked as a Medical Rep in hospitals, selling antiseptic solutions for pre-operative skin cleansing. The key ingredient of these solutions, Chlorhexidine, was prioritised over Iodine by NICE in April 2019 as the first choice in skin prep for hospital use. She saw this as an opportunity to provide the public with a gentler antibacterial skin wipe, for use at home, that could remove everyday bacteria – the major cause of body odour. Barnes found, in her initial research, an optimal level of Chlorhexidine to incorporate into her own brand of wipes to kill the bacteria, that would still act in a gentle way on skin. After successfully launching FreshWipes in 2020, Liz is now expanding the business to launch no rinse Shampoo Caps, making it even easier for people to stay fresh and clean when showering just isn’t an option. And new for Summer… FreshWipes Shampoo Caps Designed for anyone struggling to wash their hair e.g. Campers or those with a disability, illness or post-surgery. So simple to use – just place the cap containing the special fluid, over the hair and massage in for 3 minutes. No need to rinse as the fluid will clean, freshen and moisturise the hair all in one, simply remove the cap and marvel at your clean hair! The cap can even be warmed in the microwave prior to use – perfect for cooler days. Key Ingredients FreshWipes packs start at £5.99 FreshWipes Shampoo Cap £4.99 Products available at freshwipes.co.uk, amazon.co.uk and on QVC @FreshwipesUK Subscribe to Ucan2 Magazine today to keep up-to-date with all the latest products to make independent living easier and more accessible.
Norfolk Industries is a national level award winner
Norfolk Industries for Disabled People is exceptionally proud to have received a Highly Commended at the 2024 National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards. The award was given in the ‘Employer of People with a Disability’ category which looks for a business or charity that demonstrates true values of respect, equality and accessibility for their employees who have a learning disability and/or autism. These are values that are close to our hearts and reflect the ethos and ambition of our business. To take the runner up slot in a national-level award, open to both businesses and charities across England, Wales and Scotland, is a real achievement and we are honoured to have been recognised in this way. What the judges said: “Norfolk Industries for Disabled People go above and beyond in employing those with learning disabilities and deserve high commendation in this category. They stand as a shining example of inclusivity and take an approach many can seek to learn from.” General manager, Sharon Tooke said: “It’s been so inspiring to have the business shortlisted for such an award. The event was wonderful and an opportunity to see the amazing work that is going on in the care sector across the country. To gain Highly Commended in our category of Employer of People with Disabilities is such an honour and a real acknowledgment of our work to provide a supportive working environment for people with disabilities in our local community. It’s also something that our commercial customers can be proud of in that they are supporting a business such as ours by trading with us! Win, win!” Sales of our pet products are crucial in supporting our mission to provide disabled and disadvantaged people with access to the world of work. We’d like to thank everyone who currently trades with us for the part you play in making this happen and welcome any prospective new traders to get in touch. Contact us at sales@norfolkindustries.co.uk. Visit their website at https://www.norfolkindustries.co.uk/
Sun’s out. Time for DIY
Painting, removing damp or draught proofing aren’t usually the first things you associate with summer. But the warmer, drier months are a fantastic time to carry out some DIY such as home improvements, whether small tweaks or larger projects. Install tap aerators If you want to kick off your summer DIY with something that’s not too daunting, fitting tap aerators is a great idea. They only cost about £5 and are fitted inside existing taps. They’re full of holes that mix air into your water supply reducing the amount of water that comes out while still leaving you with plenty to wash and clean with. It can save you around £20 a year on your bills. Block out draughts and keep in heat Don’t wait until winter arrives to start combatting heat loss. Get it done while the heating is off and warm air floods naturally into your home. A simple job is adding draught excluders to letterboxes, doors and windows. Getting a professional in can cost well over £200, but it’s easy to do yourself, with self-adhesive foam strips, metal or plastic excluders with wipers or brushes attached. Placing reflective panels behind radiators is also a good idea as this stops too much heat being absorbed into the walls, rather than warming your room. These panels only cost around £30 to install. Declutter No one wants to be clearing out the garage or attic and making trips to the tip when it’s cold or wet outside. But if the weather’s nice, you can use outside space to help sort through the years of accumulated clutter. Arrange them into piles for throwing away, giving to charity, recycling or even, if you’re feeling creative, upcycling. The drive to the tip or charity shop can also be more enjoyable when it’s warm and sunny. Take the opportunity to sort out all the frustrating living room or bedroom clutter while the weather is good otherwise you’ll have to spend months on end indoors, staring at it all. A lick of paint If you can paint with windows or doors wide open you’ll avoid inhaling unpleasant, overpowering fumes, particularly if you’re using a gloss finish. It’s help speed up paint drying too. Sanding furniture or floors can create a lot of dust, so these tasks are also better done with windows open. A gentle breeze flowing through the room will disperse much of the dust, before it can irritate your lungs or eyes – though it’s important to always wear a protective mask and eye covering, whatever the weather. Tackle damp and mould These common problems can start to develop during summer. By the time the weather gets wetter and darker, they can be much more widespread and perhaps have got out of hand. Sort them out with specialist products early to avoid more work and serious issues later. Review your mobility When the days are long and sunny, it’s a perfect time to appraise your mobility. Is it taking a lot of effort to negotiate your way around the house while you’re working on the DIY projects? Is carrying bags of nails, power tools, draught excluders and paint pots a struggle? Do you look at your stairs with trepidation or even fear? It might be time to consider some additional help, whether you’re DIYing or not. AStiltz Homelift allows you to move effortlessly and quietly between floors in no more than 30 seconds. Homelifts can assist with transporting not just you and other members of the household, but a range of items from that awkward DIY equipment to the far more pleasant suitcases when going on holiday. The best thing about a Stiltz is its size. The smallest model takes up just 0.55sqm, which is the size of a bedroom armchair. A larger model which takes a walking frame or wheelchair is available with additional length to accommodate equipment. All Stiltz Homelifts are affordable and come finished in a soft, warm grey colourway which compliments the clear sides of the lift car and the soft blue ambient internal lighting. They look perfect in both traditional and contemporary homes. So, if you’re carrying out updates to your property in either a big or small way, it’s the perfect time to think about installing a homelift. For more information on the full range of Stiltz Homelifts, visit stiltz.co.uk/
First-ever Autism Acceptance Campaign at University of Birmingham
Happy Autistic Lady partners with Guild of Students for first-ever Autism Acceptance Campaign at University of Birmingham. Iveta Pudilova (22), University of Birmingham Alumna, is the CEO & Co-Founder of Happy Autistic Lady LTD; a multi-award-winning marketing and consultancy business, committed to creating student spaces where neurodiversity is celebrated. Recently, after competing against more than 400 other entries, Iveta won the Inclusivity Award at the regional Inspirational Youth Awards 2024. This award largely acknowledged Happy Autistic Lady campaigns that raise awareness about autism and neurodiversity at UK universities. Happy Autistic Lady directly addresses a key problem universities face: disabled students are less likely to access employment after graduation, and 37% of autistic students alone drop out due to a lack of support and inclusion, that’s up to 8,000 students each year. Happy Autistic Lady delivers training, workshops, and creative campaigns that empower neurodivergent individuals and raise awareness about invisible disabilities. Happy Autistic Lady is a member of the University’s start-up incubator and has a fully neurodivergent workforce, including two other University of Birmingham Alumni supporting the business, Sarah and Rosie. As a local start-up whose roots can be traced to the incredible community at the University of Birmingham, the team thoroughly enjoyed working with the Guild of Students on the first-ever Autism Acceptance Campaign. Thanks to the support of Dean Turner – Welfare and Community Officer – and Aoife O’Driscoll-Paton -Disabled Students’ Officer- the campaign includes 1,100 branded awareness badges for students and staff members. The badges provide a simple yet effective tool for self-expression and advocacy. The aim is for the University of Birmingham’s 5,000+ disabled and neurodivergent students to feel empowered by their identities and gain the support and understanding they need without having to repeat themselves each time. The badges will be available to students and staff at the Guild of Students from June. The campaign also consists of educational social media content and infographic posters displayed around campus and student accommodation highlighting definitions, important statistics, how to (and not to) respond when someone shares they are neurodivergent, and tips on supporting your neurodivergent friends and classmates! A few include meeting in sensory-friendly spaces, providing agendas in advance for team meetings, and using clear, direct language. Happy Autistic Lady is now looking to partner with other schools and businesses in the region and continue to promote acceptance and awareness about neurodivergence. Happy Autistic Lady is now looking to partner with other schools and student’s unions to create acceptance campaigns for Autism Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Disability History Month, and others. Iveta Pudilova, CEO and Co-Founder of Happy Autistic Lady commented: “As a small family-owned business and a University of Birmingham alumna, we were delighted to be back on campus. It was great working with the Guild of Students to foster a more supportive environment and seeing the officers’ commitment to student inclusion! When a student told me that Happy Autistic Lady made them “feel so empowered and proud of being a disabled UoB student”, I knew that our work is valuable and needed.’’ Dean Turner, Welfare and Community Officer and Aoife O’Driscoll-Paton, Disabled Students’ Officer agreed: “We’re so pleased to announce the launch of our Invisible Disabilities Campaign, which aims to provide a platform to open conversations about hidden disabilities and neurodivergence.As a part of this campaign, which forms a part of the Guild’s ongoing EDI strategy and cultural education work, we’ve had the fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the Happy Autistic Lady, a new start-up run by Birmingham Alumni. Through these collaborative efforts, we’ve identified key messaging and worked on the creation of various resources, including a selection of badges which are intended to raise awareness of different invisible disabilities. We really hope you like the badges, which will be available to collect from the Guild in the coming weeks.” Subscribe to Ucan2 Magazine today.
Win an Accessible Getaway In The Heart of the Lake District
Open Road Access, the UK’s leading wheelchair-accessible vehicle rental company, is excited to announce an exceptional competition in partnership with Lakes For All, a renowned accessible holiday company. Planning a getaway as a wheelchair user can involve complex preparation, often leading to less frequent travel. Lakes For All and Open Road Access are on a mission to make travel more accessible for everyone by considering the needs of wheelchair users, to ensure a smooth and relaxing getaway. This extraordinary opportunity offers one lucky winner an unforgettable stay at the newly built and fully accessible Rose Cottage in the heart of Lake District in Hackthorpe, Cumbria. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Lakes For All and offer this incredible opportunity,” says David Dew-Veal, Director of Strategy & Innovation at Proximo Group, the parent company of Open Road Access. “Rose Cottage provides the perfect blend of luxury and accessibility, ensuring everyone can enjoy the stunning beauty of the Lake District.” What prize can be won in the competition? The prize includes a 3-night weekend or a 4-night midweek escape at Rose Cottage, valued at over £1000. Additionally, Open Road Access will provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for the duration of the stay, ensuring wheelchair users can enjoy this getaway without limits. The stay can be enjoyed between 1st of October 2024, and 30th of April 2025 (excluding peak periods, like Christmas). What makes the Rose Cottage accessible? Rose Cottage offers stylish and accessible accommodation in the Lake District National Park. This newly built modern luxury retreat comfortably sleeps up to seven guests across three spacious bedrooms. The cottage is designed with wheelchair users in mind, with its excellent accessibility features that enable easy movement throughout. The features include level floors, a wheelchair access ramp, extra-wide entrance door, widened hallways with sliding barn-style doors, and underfloor heating with individual room controls. Additionally, the cottage boasts a kitchen with a motorised worktop, an accessible bedroom with a profiling bed and ceiling hoist, an adjoining wet room, and a spacious living room with a sensory corner. How to enter the prize draw “Complete the short form on the Open Road Access website before 2nd of August at 23:59 for your chance to win this incredible getaway. Good luck!” adds David Dew-Veal. Enter the prize draw on: Discover more about Rose Cottage: https://lakesforall.co.uk Find out more about Open Road Access: Subscribe to Ucan2 Magazine today to stay informed on all the latest news, information and advice.
Creating a connection – the importance of community for disabled people
By David Ashton-Jones, Chief Executive of Homes Together Having a sense of community and connection is essential for happiness and mental well-being. It’s at the heart of all our lives – it supports us, gives us a sense of belonging and defines our identities. Sadly, simple community activities like going out with friends, to events or just to the shop are still a real challenge for many disabled people. From minimal transport options to actual physical barriers, engaging with the communities they live in can be extremely challenging. At Homes Together we care for adults living with disabilities in homes in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Gateshead. And we’ve made it our mission to not only meet their practical needs, but also to enrich their emotional and social lives and promote independence. That’s because we believe everyone should have the chance to build essential connections with their local communities. The benefits of community for disabled people Being part of a community gives a sense of belonging, as well as the chance to take part in the simple joys of normal life. This in turn reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness – things that can often be exacerbated for disabled people. Community also brings help from peers and friends, whether that’s emotional support, encouragement or simply a sense of togetherness. All of this contributes to improved mental health and wellbeing. Social inclusion is an essential aspect of community participation. It goes beyond just occupying the same space; it involves acceptance and building relationships with others. Feeling like you belong in this way is fundamental to overall wellbeing for everybody. There’s a practical advantage too. Integrating disabled people into their communities is a vital tool for overcoming the day-to-day challenges of accessing local amenities – like going to shops and restaurants. Bringing communities together at Homes Together Having a hobby has been strongly linked to happiness and well-being, so it’s vital that everyone, regardless of their abilities, is able to pursue their passions. Our team supports our service users to be independent, helping them to enjoy a wide range of interests and activities and become part of their local communities. This means that they can live a fulfilling life in a way that improves their mental and physical well-being. We do this by giving them access to different types of activities and outings, like trips to local leisure centres, parks or restaurants, painting, or pottery workshops, or even singalongs with a choir. We’re particularly keen on physical activities like swimming (a great low-impact exercise for those with limited mobility), fitness classes and scuba diving, for example. Why do we do this? Because we want to offer everybody, whatever their abilities, the chance to live life to the fullest. One of the ways we’re making this happen is by offering sponsorships to organisations that cater for people with different needs – so we have plenty of options available for anyone who wants them. How community interaction can transform society as a whole Making amenities accessible to all will benefit everyone, not just the six million disabled people in the UK. How? By giving non-disabled people, a better understanding of the unique challenges that disabled people face every day. It also breaks down stereotypes and bias. And this encourages acceptance and inclusion, plus social empathy. That can only be a good thing. It doesn’t end there either. Caregivers who champion education and awareness from the ground up can be truly transformative, promoting shifts in cultural attitudes. This can in turn lead to concrete improvements in services, policies, and infrastructure, which benefit all of society. The future’s bright It’s clear that being part of the local community is vital for disabled people. The benefits of access to support networks, improved social inclusion and the chance to develop more independence can’t be overstated. That’s why we at Homes Together will continue to build connections with the communities we live and work in. Our ultimate goal? To create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all. Subscribe to Ucan2 Magazine today
Canny Grouse Barn: An Accessible Retreat in the Yorkshire Dales
Nestled within the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, Canny Grouse Barn offers a unique blend of accessibility and rustic charm, making it an ideal getaway for holidaymakers, especially those with mobility needs. Part of Yorkshire Hideaways’ collection of beautiful holiday properties, Canny Grouse Barn is a testament to thoughtful, inclusive design and meticulous attention to detail. Situated in the quaint village of Kirkby Stephen, the converted barn seamlessly blends countryside tranquility with modern amenities, including a purposely designed wet room, electric bed, and moveable kitchen units. These features provide wheelchair users with both independence and a much-needed escape to the country with family and friends. Its single-storey layout and step-free access ensures that every guest can enjoy the stunning views and serene environment without any hindrance. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a welcoming courtyard garden, perfectly landscaped for easy navigation and relaxation. The barn’s interiors reflect a perfect balance of traditional charm and contemporary convenience, with spacious, open-plan living areas that are both cosy and functional. The well-equipped kitchen features rise-and-fall worktops, making meal preparation comfortable for everyone. The surrounding area offers numerous accessible trails and pathways, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. For those looking to enhance their outdoor adventures, the barn offers the option to hire a Terrain Hopper. This impressive mobility power scooter, designed with distinctive looks and extreme off-road capabilities, ensures that everyone can explore stunning landscapes with ease. Canny Grouse Barn stands out as a beacon of inclusivity and comfort in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Whether you’re looking to relax in the charming interiors or explore the breathtaking countryside, Canny Grouse Barn offers an unforgettable experience for all. Bookings can be made through Yorkshire Hideaways (either on the website www.yorkshirehideways.co.uk or by calling 01969 600600 or by emailing enquiries@yorkshirehideaways.co.uk), where the friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to help you plan the perfect stay. Embrace the beauty and tranquility of the Yorkshire Dales with a stay at Canny Grouse Barn – where comfort, accessibility and stunning scenery come together to create the perfect holiday. This property sleeps 6 from £790 for 3 nights. 7-night breaks from £972. https://www.yorkshirehideaways.co.uk/yorkshire-dales/kirkby-stephen-and-surrounding-villages/kirkby-stephen-holiday-cottages/canny-grouse-barn Want to stay up-to-date with the latest accessible holiday retreats? Subscribe to Ucan2 Magazine today