Access Statement: Network Group Masterclass

What you can do

At Stonewall, we believe that all attendees should be able to fully participate in our events and feel comfortable doing so.

We are taking measures and efforts to ensure that we organise events that are accessible to all. We commit to ensuring that as far as possible we work with you to accommodate any adjustments that you require. We will take feedback on access issues seriously and work to ensure that we improve and develop after every event.

Please find the Stonewall Network Group Masterclass 2023 Access Statement below. If you would like a more detailed version or have any questions, please email us at empowerment@stonewall.org.uk and we will get back to you.

Venue

The Studio, Birmingham, 7 Cannon Street, B2 5EP

Tel: 0121 634 2800

To find out more about the venue, and to download floorplans, please visit the Studio website.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Read full information on accessibility at the Studio, Birmingham. There is free Wi-Fi available for all delegates. For anyone who needs an evacuation plan, please contact empowerment@stonewall.org.uk to agree a mutually convenient personal evacuation plan.

Parking

As a city centre venue, there is no on-site parking.

Recommended parking:

NCP High Street Parking, B4 7LN
NCP New Street Parking, B5 4AN

Both of these car parks are a 10 minute walk from the venue.

There is blue badge parking on Bennitts Hill, a 3 minute walk away; Barwick street, a 4 minute walk away; and Corporation Street outside Victoria Law Courts, approximately a 6 minute walk away. Read more details on local blue badge parking.

For drop off and pick up, you can drive up to The Studio Birmingham via Temple Row/Cherry Street onto Cannon street but no parking is permitted at this location. The best time to do this is between 8am and 10am, and from 6pm onwards. At any other time this is classed as a pedestrian zone therefore ticket wardens may be in operation.

Cannon Street does not allow parking for extended periods of time, however we do have discounted rates at both NCP High Street, B4 7LN, and NCP Londonderry House, B4 7LX. (Height restrictions 1.96m). For parking with no height restrictions, we suggest Masshouse Circus Carpark on Chapel Street, B4 7LN. For further details regarding parking near the venue, please contact the Studio: 0121 634 2800.

Reaching the venue by public transport

By train

There are three railway stations within walking distance of the Studio: Birmingham New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street. New Street Station is just two minutes walk from the Studio.

At Birmingham New Street Station there are lifts to all platforms and step-free access to the main station via:

North West and Northern entrances on Stephenson Street and Navigation Street
Hill Street via the Drop and Go vehicle access and the accessible ramp and lifts
Southern entrance via the lift at the junction of Station Street and Hill Street
Smallbrook Queensway via the entrance for Thousand Trades Square

For more information about accessibility at Birmingham New Street Station, please visit the Network Rail site.

Reception/registration area

On arrival you will be directed to the second floor where the opening session will take place in Explore.

The event will utilise rooms across the first and second floor. All floors have lift access.

Corridors and access routes

All corridors/access routes in the venue are fully wheelchair accessible.

The floors of the corridors/access routes are made of non-slip surfaces of carpet/wooden floor.

Room layouts

The main room is Explore which will be used for opening and closing sessions. This is on the second floor accessible via lift.

The room has level access
The doors are double doors, they are not automatic. There will be ushers by the doors to help you

The breakout rooms:

Workshop rooms will have capacities of between 50 to 100 people
The workshop rooms are split across the first and second floor of the Studio. Both floors are accessible via lift

Facilities

All facilities will be clearly labelled on the day. Ushers will also be able to direct you.

The event will have a Wellbeing Room in Create:

This will be available from 10:00 – 16:00
There will be seating available
There will be comfortable seating inside the quiet room such as calming activities and useful information leaflets

Changing facilities

Changing room facilities will be available throughout the day in the venue toilets

Toilets

Gender neutral toilets will be available
Accessible toilets, equipped with emergency alarms, will be available.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted within the studio floors. Water bowls can be obtained from any member of staff.

Accessibility services

Adjustments are available upon request (if there is anything not on this list that you might require, please do not hesitate to get in contact and we can see what we can do for you).

Large print
Coloured paper
Induction loops
BSL interpreter
Palantypist
Braille
Free ticket for support worker
Refrigerated storage
Reserved seating
Varied seating options

At Registration we will provide the following additional services:

Personal reserved signs will be available to collect at registration, on request
Lanyards will space for pronouns, social interaction stickers and please offer me a seat stickers
There will be ushers available during the main registration to support delegates

Catering

Catering will be clearly labelled. Please do let us know of any dietary requirements or food/drink allergies you have in advance. Upon request, vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Kosher, nut-free and gluten-free food will be available. We will ensure that catering requests are accommodated, so please provide us with as much information as possible when registering to attend the event.

Staff support

Stonewall staff will be wearing blue lanyards so they can be identified easily.

An Accessibility Coordinator will be available for the day via phone and email to accommodate any access issues you might have. They will be stationed at registration but will be able to move around the venue on the day. Further information about this individual will be communicated to you nearer the day of conference.

Security

To ensure the safety of all delegates, everyone must bring a form of ID and a copy of their joining instructions with them in order to access the event. We accept a variety of forms of ID including government issued photo ID, bank cards or a pass from your organisation.

Random bag checks may also be in operation at the entrance of the venue. If you have any concerns about the above, or if there is anything we can do to make the security check process easier for you, please get in touch.

COVID-19 safety

We know that COVID-19 has hit our community disproportionately and that we all experience different levels of risk relating to our personal circumstances. As a community it’s important that we do all that we can to ensure everyone feels as safe as they can during this event.

These are the steps we are taking to minimize risk relating to COVID during this event:

Hand sanitiser will be available throughout venue along with face masks at registration
We are sharing the following recommended actions with delegates and staff
Please take a Lateral Flow Test on Thursday 13th July before attending the event
Please use your own personal equipment, or that provided to you – and try not to share equipment with other delegates
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, rather than your hands
If you have a positive Lateral Flow or PCR test, or any COVID symptoms please do not attend this event. Get in touch with the team via empowerment@stonewall.org.uk and we will transfer your ticket to a future event

Further information

If you can't find what you need here, or you prefer information in a different format, please email empowerment@stonewall.org.uk and we will do our best to support.