We aim to be a space that is safe and comfortable for everyone attending, particularly those who may have additional access requirements. We’ve created this page to explain what facilities we have and what you can expect when you attend one of our services or events. If you have any additional access requirements, or if you have any questions about accessibility or how we can help you feel safe and comfortable here, please reach out and we’ll do our best to accomodate you.

Accessibility is important to us at The Gathering

Physical Access

The City URC building (where The Gathering meets on Sunday evenings) has:

  • Disabled parking spots nearby

  • Step-free access through the main doors

  • Step-free access into the sanctuary (the part of the building where we conduct our services) from the side

  • Step-free access into the cafe adjoining the foyer (where we hold our pre-service events like craft evenings and shared meals)

  • Two small steps from the entrance into the vestibule (the part of the building just before the main entrance to the sanctuary) where we usually serve our teas and coffees from

If you would like someone to make you a cuppa, please ask someone wearing a lanyard or a blue Gatheing t-shirt and they’ll be happy to help!

Toilets

Downstairs, before the steps, there are gender-neutral toilets with two lockable cubicles and shared sinks (no urinals). There are sanitary bins, paper towels and a noisy hand dryer, as well as free menstrual products.

There is also an accessible toilet, but as it is missing some key features it is not fully accessible.

The features it does have are:

  • Grab rails

  • Foldable arm rest

  • Lever taps (that do not require much hand or arm strength or dexterity)

  • A baby-changing station which can be used for sorting any medical equipment you may need

  • Sanitary bin

The features it does not have are:

  • A nappy/incontinence bin

  • A transfer space (so it may only be suitable for ambulatory wheelchair users)

  • Adequate clearance space (so it may not have enough space to safely turn a wheelchair around or do a side-by-side transfer)

  • An emergency pull chord or alarm

  • An adult changing area

  • A hoist or lift

Other accessibility info

There is a hearing loop system available.

The lights within the sanctuary and the café area are quite bright and unfortunately can be quite harsh for those with sensory issues. We aim to ensure the music played is not too loud, but we encourage everyone attending to bring whatever accessibility tools they require (including sensory items like stim toys, ear defenders or weighted blankets etc.) and to use them freely. Please let us know if things are too noisy or too bright for you, and please feel free to step out of the space at any time during our services or events if you feel you need to.

We also provide stim tools which can be used during the service.

We no longer require those attending to wear a mask, but we encourage anyone who is feeling unwell or has recently been in contact with someone who is unwell to wear a mask to protect others in our space.