This section contains information on leisure interests such as cinema, arts, pubs, clubs, shopping, sports, health and fitness, places of interest etc.
Some of the information refers to activities just for disabled people.
A lot of the information is about mainstream events and facilities, with details on accessibility features.
There are two cinemas in Wolverhampton. The Light House and Cineworld. Both cinemas show some films with audio description (a descriptive soundtrack assisting visually impaired people) or subtitles (for deaf and hearing impaired people).
Not all films come with these facilities.
For full listings and further information contact the cinemas direct.
Light House Cinema
Chubb, buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT
The Light house is in the centre of Wolverhampton close to the public transport hub.
The Light house cinema shows some blockbuster films as well as independent and art house films, including a good selection of foreign (subtitled in English) films.
The Light House has an accessible two screen cinema, a photography gallery, and there is also a café and restaurant on site, as well as a media reference library.
Both screens are wheelchair accessible with induction loops for those with hearing difficulties
Disabled people requiring a helper can be accompanied by their helper free of charge to any screening or event..
The main cinema screen has DTT/CSS digital subtitling and audio description facilities. On Sundays and Tuesdays films are normally shown with subtitling. Headsets for audio description are available upon request.
Contact: Light House, The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton
WV1 1HT
Tel (01902) 716055
Email info@light-house.co.uk Web www.light-house.co.uk
Cineworld - The Movies
Bentley Bridge Park, Wednesfield Way, Wolverhampton, WV11 1TZ
Cineworld is in Wednesfield, close to Newcross hospital and around 200m from a bus stop.
Wolverhampton Cineworld is wheelchair accessible, and has disabled parking. Some performances have audio description and subtitles. Usually the blockbuster films have at least one showing a week of a subtitled or audio described performance. – check their website or contact them for details.
If you have a carer or helper, they can get in free once you have applied for and received a Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card (CEA card). You can get a CEA card application form in the cinema foyer, or from www.ceacard.co.uk.
You can book tickets in advance by telephone or by internet.
Contact: Telephone enquiries/booking: 0871 220 8000
For wheelchair booking please call (01902) 304 318
Address: Bentley Bridge Park, Wednesfield Way, Wolverhampton, WV11 1TZ
Disabled Access website: www.cineworld.co.uk/jahia/Jahia/pid/8
(includes theatres, arts centres, live music venues)
The Arena Theatre The Arena, on Wulfruna Street, mainly shows contemporary plays and performances, from whodunits, to the latest disabled performer or comedian.
The Arena leads the way in the West Midlands in terms of the number of disabled performers and disability-related performances it has shown.
There are spaces for people with wheelchairs in the theatre and Personal Assistants get a free ticket.
There is wheelchair access to the theatre as well as to the foyer levels via lift.
Sennheiser Infra Red Enhanced Hearing headsets are available – they can be worn with or without a hearing aid. Please reserve your headset at the Box Office when you book your ticket.
The Arena Theatre does some of its performances with subtitles and some with signers.
The toilet is wheelchair accessible.
Audio and Large Print Brochures are available on request from the Box Office.
The Arena Theatre website contains more information.
Contact: The Arena Theatre, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1SB
Tel (01902) 321 321 Minicom (01902) 321 327
Website: www.wlv.ac.uk/arena/
Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre shows plays, operas and pantomimes.
The Theatre building is accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility difficulties. A lift is available at all four public levels of the building with spaces for wheelchair users and toilet facilities in both the Stalls and Dress Circle.
Discounts are available for disabled patrons and their partners/assistants - contact the Box Office.
The auditorium has an infra red system that transmits sounds from the stage to a headset. There is a refundable deposit of £2 for use of the headset, which can be obtained from The Kiosk. The Grand Theatre is a member of Signed Performances in Theatre (SPIT) and employs SPIT-accredited British Sign Language interpreters.
Audio Described performances are available for those with a visual impairment.
You should ask about accessibility features like SPIT and Audio Description, when you are booking.
The season brochure is available in print or on audio cassette by telephoning the Marketing Department on (01902) 57 33 11
You can book in person at the box office, which has an induction loop, or:
The Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DE
Telephone (01902) 42 92 12 Minicom (01902) 57 33 08, fax (01902) 57 33 02
Email marketing@grandtheatre.co.uk
Website http://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
Newhampton Arts Centre
The Newhampton Arts Centre is a purpose built centre for performing arts and community activities located in Whitmore Reans. The centre has a programme of regular activities and classes, children's workshops and multi-cultural events in the theatre. Facilities include a theatre space seating up to 120, rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, dance studio, recording studios, radio station and café.
Disabled access is reasonable, and there is parking onsite, but no designated spaces unless you book them.
Contact: Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4AN
Tel (01902) 572090
Website: www.newhamptonarts.co.uk
Wulfrun and Civic Halls
The Civic and Wulfrun Halls are the city’s main venues for a wide range of bands and musical experiences – from Classical to rock to the latest emo band, plus a few comedians performing too.
The main entrance to the civic hall is up some steps that aren’t very easy to use. The entrance to the Wulfrun Hall is up a set of steps.
If you need level access to either hall there is a door with ramped access to the left of the Civic Hall main entrance. You need to tell them when you book though, because this door is not usually open.
Inside there are accessible toilets, and you can get between floors via a lift.
The bar counters are high.
There is disabled parking across the road at the civic Centre Car Park about 50m from the entrance. There is also parking in Blossoms fold off North Street or Cheap Side off North Street – this parking is often blocked by a bollard so you need to tell them in advance.
In the seated viewing area upstairs, there are 6 wheelchair positions.
If you have a visual impairment, tell them when you book, so you can have a suitable seat.
The halls have an induction loop.
Sometimes the shows have flashing lights – if this bothers you, check before you book.
Contact:
Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St, Wolverhampton, WV1 1RQ
General Office Telephone: (01902) 552122
Booking Office Telephone: (01902) 552121
Website: www.wolvescivic.co.uk
Wolverhampton City Council website provides information on its sports facilities, times, costs and what sessions are running:
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/sports/facilities/facilities_management.htm
Leisure Card
Wolverhampton City Council sells a Leisure Card that allows you cut price entrance to all its leisure facilities (including library fees for CD and DVD rental).
The cost of the card ranges from £1 to £31 depending on your circumstances.
Disabled people on the Wolverhampton Electoral Register who get Disability Living Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Incapacity Benefit, can get a card for £1.
All applicants need to fill in a form, and take it to a leisure centre along with a passport centre, proof of residence, proof of benefit, and the money for the Total Leisure Card.
You should then get your card in about 5 days.
You can get an application form at a local library, sport or leisure centre, or here:
http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/sports/tlc/tlc.htm
Aldersley Leisure Village
Aldersley Leisure village has indoor and outdoor facilities. The indoor facilities are on 2 floors. You get to the first floor via a lift or stairs. The lift cannot be used independently – you have to ask at the desk.
Aldersley has indoor courts for a variety of sports includingBadminton, 5-a-side football, basketball, table tennis, indoor bowls (long & short mat).
There are accessible changing rooms available.
There is a dance studio for aerobics, martial arts and other sessions on the first floor. Regular sessions are run in aerobics, health and fitness,
There is also an accessible gym on the first floor with some wheelchair accessible equipment. Anyone wanting to use the gym has to go through an induction first.
There is also a bar selling refreshments on the premises.
Aldersley has outdoor facilities including running track, cycle track, hockey and football pitches, tennis and netball courts.
Aldersley Village is around 300m from a bus stop. There is designated parking about 50m from the entrance.
Contact Aldersley for more information:
Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW
Phone: (01902) 556200 Text phone 18001 01902 556200
Fax: (01902) 556201
Email alison.compton@wolverhampton.gov.uk
The Rifle Range at the National indoor Shooting Centre is on the Aldersley site.
It is fully adapted, and is used by a variety of disabled people.
It pioneered shooting for disabled people and it’s adaptations include shooting using your tongue instead of a finger on a trigger. There are also shooting bays for wheelchair users, and for blind people. There are 3 bays specifically for blind and visually impaired shooters, where targeting is by sound
There are 5 shooting stations with traffic lights showing when you can shoot, to assist deaf and hard of hearing people.
For more information contact:
National indoor shooting Centre, High Porter Way, Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW
Telephone (01902) 743562
Let us Play – Cycling
Run from Aldersley, this is an initiative giving people the opportunity to try cycling on adapted bikes.
Contact Let Us Play on (01902) 403357 for information.
Bilston Leisure centre has a swimming pool and two teaching pools, fitness suite, squash courts, snooker tables, a safe play area for children, a gym and a toning tables room.
There is disabled parking outside, and access around the building is manageable.
The swimming pool has a poolside hoist, operated by staff, there is an accessible changing room.
Access to the fitness suite which includes the gym and toning tables is by lift
The fitness suite has some accessible equipment. Some of the toning tables are harder to get to than others, but they allow for your muscles to be toned while a machine does the work of manipulating them. Many disabled people have found this useful.
There is a crèche on weekdays but opening times vary. Contact Bilston Leisure Centre for more details.
Sessions are run in swimming, aerobics and squash.
Contact: Paul Redfearn, Facility Manager, Bilston Leisure Centre, Prouds Lane
Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 6PW, Tel (01902) 552430, Tel (01902) 552433 Fitness Suite Email wccleisblc@dial.pipex.com
Central Baths is Wolverhampton’s main swimming facility, close to the centre of town. It is has a swimming pool with hoist, fitness suite and steam room.
You can swim by yourself or take part in a session.
The following sessions run regularly:
Women only swimming instruction, Junior swimming instruction, Adult swimming instruction, Parents and toddlers, Aqua-natal, Adults only sessions, Women only sessions, Visually impaired sessions, General public sessions, School sessions, Disability groups, Black Country Triathletes, 50+ session, Lane swimming.
All people are advised to book the fitness suite in advance. You can only use it once you have had an induction.
You have to complete a medical questionnaire before you can use the steam room.
There is a bus stop about 100m away.
There is designated parking for Blue Badge holders, outside.
Contact:
Alison Swatman, Facility Manager Central Baths, Bath Avenue
Wolverhampton, WV1 4EG, Tel (01902) 552150 Fax (01902) 552132
Email wccleiscb@dial.pipex.com
Compton Park has a 20m swimming pool, a sports hall with 4 indoor courts, and some outdoor pitches.
The centre used mainly by schools and colleges, is located between the university’s Compton Park site, and Wolverhampton College’s Wulfrun site. Activities for the community are provided during the weekend and weekday evenings when the facilities are available.
Contact: Ian Bosworth Operations Manager, Compton Park Recreation Centre, rear of City of Wolverhampton College, Wulfrun Campus, Paget Road
Wolverhampton WV6 ODU Tel (01902) 552410
Email wccleisopswest@dial.pipex.com
Graiseley is a base for martial arts and fitness training including
Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, Boxing, Weight training, Fitness training
Yoga and Aerobics.
New toning tables, suitable for some people with mobility impairments, have recently been added.
Contact: Graiseley Recreation Centre, Pool Street, Graiseley, Wolverhampton
WV2 4NE,
Tel (01902) 552355
A list of member facilities is available from the One Voice office – we do not have accessibility information on the private centres.
WADS provides sport and recreation for disabled people, along with their non-disabled friends or family.
You can get coaching by an expert in conventional archery or crossbow.
They have a variety of accessible equipment, including that for blind crossbow users.
For your first 4 lessons, it’s £2 a visit, and after that its £6 a year membership and £1.50 per session
WADS meets at Valley Park School, Cromer Gardens, Wolverhampton, on Wednesdays from 7.00-8.30.(standard toilets only).
Contact : Phone: (01902) 753866 Mobile: 07789 234743
Email: ted@wadsuk.com
Website: www.wadsuk.com
Equal 4 all
Equal 4 All is a leisure group run by and for disabled people. They organize daytrips, pub evenings, canal boat rides etc.
Contact: Kevin Downs, Disability Support Centre, 40 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AW
Telephone: 01902 572397
Email: Wednesfield_grenadier@hotmail.com
Wolverhampton Rhinos Basketball Team
Wolverhampton Rhinos offers competitive wheelchair basketball for children and adults with a limb impairment to train and play competitive wheelchair basketball.
Contact: Alan Caron - Team Manager and Club Administration, 58 Stenstone Court, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV3 7LS
Telephone: (01902) 335075
Email: alrhinos@aol.com
Dave White - Assistant Coach
Email: davewhite@wetwetwet.freeserve.co.uk
Information centre
The Information Centre has guides, leaflets on hotels or general information about visiting Wolverhampton and the local area.
They can also advise you on events, performances etc
Contact: Wolverhampton Tourist Information Centre, 18 Queen Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TQ, Tel (01902) 556110 or (01902) 556112, Fax (01902) 556111
Email wolverhampton.tic@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.wolverhampton.tic.dial.pipex.com
Local Places of Interest
Below is a list of local places of interest that have some or complete disabled access, including galleries, museums the race course canals and stately homes.
Bantock House and Park
Bantock House hosts a large park, pitch and put golfing, museum, café, library and meeting rooms. The museum is set out as an Edwardian house downstairs, and on the first floor there are dolls, japanned goods and other arts crafts and collectables.
The house also puts on seasonal performances at Christmas and summer.
Bantock House recently underwent considerable work and now is fully accessible – you can get to the first floor by stairs or a standard lift, and a platform lift up a short flight of stairs to another level.
There is also a wheelchair that you can borrow for your visit.
There are accessible toilets on both floors of the house.
There is an accessible toilet outside the house in the courtyard, but it is across cobbles, and the handrails are wobbly.
Entry is to the house is free.
There is a bus stop within 100 metres of the house, and there is disabled parking outside the door.
Contact: Bantock House, Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9LQ
Tel (01902) 552195
Email bantockhouse@dial.pipex.com
Web www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Black Country Living Museum
The Black Country museum is an indoor-outdoor 26 acre site, designed to give people an idea of what Black Country life was like in the past.
It includes open air museum, cinema, and original shops, houses and workplaces inhabited by staff in costume.
Some of the site is on uneven or sloped ground, and some of the buildings have steps. While places like the coalmine are not wheelchair accessible, they have a system of temporary ramps that can be used to get in and out of most buildings.
Wheelchair users who bring an assistant do not have to pay an entrance fee for the assistant.
If you want to borrow a wheelchair for your visit, you need to contact them in advance: 0121 520 8054
There are accessible toilets at the entrance building and by the Canalside Cafe.
Contact: Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ
Tel 0121 5579643
Website: www.bclm.co.uk
Bilston Craft Gallery
Bilston Craft Gallery has exhibitions of ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and woodwork.
Outside there are gardens with tactile sculptures.
This building has accessible toilets and a lift to the first floor.
Contact: Bilston Craft Gallery, Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton,
WV14 7LU Tel (01902) 552507
Email bilstoncraftgallery@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Broadfield House Glass Museum
Broadfield houses a famous collection of 19th and 20th Century Stourbridge glass in Georgian building with ultra-modern glass extension, there is also a gift shop.
The ground floor has wheelchair access, so you can see glass blowing in the studio, and you can also see the cameo glass and temporary exhibitions.
There is not wheelchair access to the upper floor, which houses their Victorian and Georgian glass collection.
There is an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities.
There is disabled parking by the entrance.
Guided Tours available for pre-booked groups for a fee.
Broadfield House is open Tuesday-Sunday throughout the year.
Contact: Broadfield House Glass Museum, Compton Drive, Kingswinford, DY6 9NS Tel 01384 812745
Website: www.glassmuseum.org.uk
Dudley Zoological Gardens
Dudley Zoo, set in grounds of Dudley Castle has lions, tigers, snakes and spiders. The entrance is level, but the site is very hilly so some areas have very poor access.
Accessible car parking and drop-off points are available close to the main entrance. There are 4 accessible toilets located around the site. Level entrance for wheelchairs at main entrance. A land train runs in the main season providing access to the top and bottom of the zoo, but you need to be able to step onto and off of the train.
You can borrow a wheelchair while you are there, but you have to leave a deposit.
If you are disabled and need to bring an assistant/carer, your assistant can get in free.
You can pre-book tours for disabled peoples groups – for groups of 6 or more the entrance fee is £5 per person instead of £9.95.
Contact: Dudley Zoological Gardens, 2 The Broadway, Dudley, DY1 4QB
Tel 01384 215313 Web www.dudleyzoo.org.uk
Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre
This is a visitor centre offering an introduction to the area’s canals with displays, audio-visual shows, artefacts and information.
Contact: Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre, Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick, B6 1BA Tel 0121 558 8195 Web www.sandwellcanals.org.uk or www.waterscape.com Or http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/content/education-and-childrens-services/curriculum-folder/heritage-folder/gvhc.en
Haden Hill House
A Victorian gentleman’s residence partly furnished in period style and surrounded by 55 acres of parkland, Haden Hill House has parking, food, shop, study area.
Only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible, and there is an accessible toilet.
Contact: Haden Hill House, Halesowen Road, Cradley Heath, B64 7JU
Tel 01384 569444 Web http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/museums-and-galleries/
Himley Hall & Park
Himley Hall is an 18th century Grade II listed building set in 180 aces of ‘Capability Brown’ landscaped parklands. It is open to the public from April to September, from 2-5. Admission is free.
Himely also occasionally hosts art and craft fairs, firework displays etc.
An Accessible toilet is located on the Ground Floor in the public areas. The Hall is only wheelchair accessible on the ground floor. There is an accessible path from the hall around the lake.
There are 2 blue badge designated car parking spaces.
It is not on a bus route.
Contact: Himley Hall Park, Himley Hall, Nr Dudley DY3 4DF
Tel 0384 817817 Web www.himleyhall.org
Moseley Old Hall
The Hall is most famous for when Charles II hid here after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and the bed where he slept is on view.
It is open from mid-March to mid-December.
There is an alternative accessible entrance from reception, which avoids the steps. The ground floor is accessible but has narrow doorways. There are stairs with handrails to other floors. Seating is available. Also available is audio visual/video and photograph album. There are adapted toilets. The tea room is on the first floor but there are tables on the ground floor.
There is also Braille and large-print guide.
There are spaces allocated for disabled people
Contact: Moseley Old Hall Lane, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, WV10 7HY
Tel (01902) 782808 Web www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Email moseleyoldhall@nationaltrust.org.uk
Northycote Farm and Parkland
Northycote Farm in Bushbury is a restored historic farmhouse in 90 acres of parkland, woodland and pasture. There are walks through the site; since most of the site is unpaved access might be difficult for some.
The site car park is open every day from 8-5 every day.
The farmhouse has outdoor seating in a paved courtyard, and tearooms.
The tearooms are open 10-4 in the summer and at weekends; winter weekdays it is open 11-2.
There are also some farm animal enclosures close to the farm building.
Contact: Northycote Farm and Country Park, Underhill Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, WV10 8LT
Tel (01902) 397906
Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve
The reserve is a wildlife habitat off Pendeford Hall Lane. All visits must be booked in advance.
Contact, Paul Coxhill (Warden) on (01902) 397640 or (01902) 555155 for more details.
Penedeford Mill Nature Reserve, Pendeford, Wolverhampton, WV9 5ET
Red House Glass Cone
Built around 1790 and reaching 100ft in height, this is one of only four cones left in the UK. The site tells you about the history and tradition of glassmaking and the work of glass artists and makers – you can also do some glass blowing yourself at the outdoor kiln.
There is an audio tour guide available.
There is wheelchair access to the Red House ground floor and upstairs gallery, but to visit the cone you need to be able to use the spiral staircase.
There is parking available opposite the Red House Glass Cone and also across the road on the former Stuart Crystal factory site.
An Accessible Toilet is situated on the ground floor. The visitor centre, courtyard studios, canal side and hot glass studio are all accessible for wheelchair users. There is a lift inside the Cone to gain access to the upper floor gallery.
Contact: Red House Glass Cone, High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge, DY8 4AZ
Tel 01384 812750 Web www.redhousecone.co.uk
Walsall Art Gallery
Home to the Garman Ryan collection which includes works by Jacob Epstein, Modigliani, Monet, Rembrandt, Constable, Van Gogh and Picasso as well other exhibitions, the Gallery also has a café restaurant.
The Opening Hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am - 5.00 pm and Sunday 12.00 noon to 5.00pm.
The Gallery is accessible and has a speaking lift to all floors.
Some visually impaired people might fing the white walls/wooden floors combination a bit difficult to navigate.
The Gallery is about 100m from the bus stop.
The Gallery has designated spaces for blue badge holders; the front entrance in Gallery Square is barrier free and automated.
Contact: The New Art Gallery Walsall, Gallery Square, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 8LG Tel/Text 01922 654400 Fax 01922 654401
Email info@artatwalsall.org.uk
Website: www.artatwalsall.co.uk
Walsall Leather Museum
This museum, tells the story of the leather trade, in a Victorian factory. You can watch leather goods being made, and have a go yourself.
There is also a gift shop.
The site is accessible and includes an accessible toilet.
The opening times are Tuesday-Saturday 10-4 Sunday 12-4
It is a difficult journey from the bus or train stations to the site.
There is metered parking across the road.
Contact: Walsall Leather Museum, Littleton Street West, Walsall, WS2 8EQ
Tel 01922 721153
Website: www.walsall.gov.uk/leathermuseum
Weston Park
Weston Park in Shropshire is a 17th century stately home set amidst 1000 acres of Capability Brown’ parkland. It has a collection of furniture, porcelain, tapestries and paintings, formal gardens medieval deer park, woodland, and lakes.
There is disabled access to some of the site.
The site is open from May – September – days and times vary.
Entrance fee: Gardens only: Adult £3.50, OAP £2.50, Child £2.00;
House, Park and Gardens; Adult £5, OAP £3.75, Child £3.
The site is not on a bus route.
The nearest train station is Telford.
Contact: Weston Park, Weston-Under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8LE
Tel 01952 852100
Website: www.weston-park.com
Wightwick Manor
Wightwick is a Victorian manor house with William Morris interiors and colourful garden.
The building has level entrance. The ground floor has steps and changes of level in places, which can be managed by temporary ramping.
The upper floor is only available via stairs.
Seating is available.
There is separate parking for disabled people.
There is an adapted toilet behind visitor reception.
The grounds are partly accessible, and include slopes, some steps, and grass and gravel paths. There is a map of an accessible route around the grounds available.
Refreshments are available but there is a step to entrance and space is restricted. Visual information is available such as Braille and large-print guide as well as Braille and large-print menu.
There are touchable objects.
Guided tours are available, as are induction loops for those tours.
Contact: Wightwick Manor, Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton, WV6 8EE
Tel (01902) 761400
Email: wightwickmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is home to a permanent display of art as well a program of contemporary exhibitions such as Sensing Sculpture and The Northern Ireland Collection. The gallery is currently closed due to major modernization to coincide with the new pop art gallery.
The new gallery will be equipped with induction loops, lighting, interactives, wheelchair access, double lift, audio guides Braille labels and piloting PDA’s. New facilities will include new café, education suite including digital arts centre, gallery shop and artist’s studios.
Contact: Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU
Tel (01902) 552480 E-mail: info@wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Web: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Wolverhampton Canals
Canals in Wolverhampton can be explored on foot and on bicycle, the canal basin at Broad Street also has wheelchair accessible gates that you can open by RADAR key. Disabled access on the main line canal from Coseley to Aldersley junction has a towing path suitable for wheelchair access, with RADAR keys.
Wolverhampton Racecourse
Wolverhampton Race Course has meets throughout the year.
It is floodlit so has day and night racing.
There are disabled parking spaces outside the Holiday Inn hotel with access to the racecourse via the Holiday Inn reception. Accessible toilets are available around racecourse including the hotel lobby.
There are accessible bars and cafes on the ground floor.
There are lifts to the restaurant and other bars. The lifts have Braille buttons.
Carers are admitted to the racecourse free of charge.
The Race Course holds 2 disabled people’s days, which they call Enabled Days.
On these days there is free entrance to registered disabled visitors who book tickets in advance of the meetings.
Contact the One Voice office if you are interested in a free ticket, or contact the racecourse direct.
Contact: Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton, WV6 0PE
Tel 08702202442
To book tickets telephone: (01902) 390028.
Website: www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk
For further information on arrangements made for the disabled access please call Amanda Thomas on (01902) 390027
Central library is spread across several rooms and 2 floors. It includes a reference library, books, audio library, DVDs, children’s library and computer suite. Access to the first floor (computer suite, reference library) is via a stone staircase or a lift.
You need a staff member to escort you if you want to use the lift. It is quite a long trip through the library to get to and from the lift.
You can book a free internet session once a week in the computer suite.
The computer suite has some accessible features - software to help people with dyslexia, learning difficulties or visual impairment. Also, at Central Library there is a workstation designed for wheelchair-users.
Contact: Central Library, Wolverhampton City Council, Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AX Tel (01902) 552025 (General enquiries)
Minicom 01902 552020 Fax 01902 552024 E-mail: wolverhampton.libraries@dial.pipex.com
All Libraries will have magnifying glasses, computer software and hardware to aid accessibility. Some have access to disabled toilets and the majority are wheelchair accessible. For information on particular library please contact the individual library or Central Library on (01902) 552025 (General enquiries)
You can find information about your local branch library at:
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/
Home Library Service
The Home Library Service delivers a range of materials directly to the homes of individuals who are disabled or who have difficulty in getting to their local library.
A member of library staff calls once every four weeks. A librarian will visit initially to assess your need and find out what kind of material you require.
The Home Library Service carries a lot of audio and large print books.
Contact: The Special Needs Unit, c/o Mary Pointon Library, Ettingshall Road,
Woodcross, Wolverhampton, WV14 9UG Tel (01902) 556256 E-mail snu@dial.pipex.com
Online Library Services
You can view a catalogue of all of the library service books, CDs, tapes, and DVD available for loan online at:
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/catalogue.htm
If you register on the Library website, you can also reserve or renew books and other items here:
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/catalogue/renew.htm
Or you can renew items by phone 24 hours a day by calling 01902 552500.
When calling, you will need to quote the barcode number from your library ticket.
Readers and Writers Groups
There are a number of reading groups and writers groups based in the City.
If you are interested in writng, or in talking about books you have read. Check one out.
The city centre group is always held in an accessible venue.
For more access details contact your local group.
All groups are free. For more information email simon.fletcher@dial.pipex.com or telephone (01902) 552061
Warstones Reading Group Meets on the first Monday of every month from 6.30-7.30pm at Warstones Library, Pinfold Grove. Telephone Karon on (01902) 556275.
Penn Reading Group Meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 2.15pm at Penn Library, Coalway Avenue. Telephone Pat on (01902) 556281.
Scribblers Writing Group Meets every other Tuesday from 7-9pm at Daisy Bank Community Centre, Ash St, Bradley. Telephone Len on (01902) 637398.
Tettenhall Writers’ Group Meets on the first Saturday of every month from 11am-1pm at Tettenhall Library, St Michael’s Parish Centre. Telephone Roger on (01902) 750313.
Tettenhall Reading Group Meets on the third Monday of every month from 6.30-8pm at Tettenhall Library, St Michael’s Parish Centre. Telephone Kate on (01902) 556308.
Wednesfield Reading Group Meets on the second Monday of every month from 2-3pm at Wednesfield Library, Church Street. Telephone Carol on (01902) 556278.
Women Who Write Meet on the third Thursday of the month at Bilston Community Centre from 7-9pm. Telephone Marion on (01902) 552013.
New City Playwrights Meet on the second Saturday of every month from 11am-1pm at Bantock House, Bantock Park. Telephone Jonathan on (01902) 425587.
Bilston Writers Meet on the third Saturday of every month from 11am-1pm at Bilston Library, Mount Pleasant. Telephone Simon on (01902) 552061.
Central Poetry Reading Group Meets on the last Wednesday of every month from 4.30pm. Telephone Simon on (01902) 552061.
Black Writers & Friends Meet on the fourth Saturday of every month from 2-4pm at The Lighthouse, Chubb Buildings, Fryer St. Telephone Nevel on (01902) 847747.
DASh
DASh is a disability arts user led organisation, running arts projects across Shropshire and other areas, including Wolverhampton.
It aims to promote and support disabled artists and disabled people interested in the arts also to promote and support disabled people as an arts audience. It runs arts workshops and projects, to undertake research and to deliver training. It also promotes and run events that include all members of the community.
Their work breaks down into four areas:
Visual and Digital arts, Performing arts, Information and Advice, Audience Development.
Contact: Mike Layward/ Tanya Raabe, DASh, The New Community Centre, Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
Tel 01743 210840 / 01743 210895 Mobile 07800 746227
Access around the city centre is patchy, and over the next few years a lot of building work will be going on to expand and modernise the city centre. Shop Mobility is a useful service to help some disabled people get around .
Dudley Street and its offshoots has a cobbled uneven central aisle, however there is a flatter surface at the sides.
Most shops now have a level entrance, however many of them have very narrow walkways and are difficult to get around.
You have the right to be able to use all the shops in the city centre. If you cannot because a shop is inaccessible, the shop must make reasonable adjustments – this may include things like coming around the (high) counter to serve you, allowing you to try on clothes at home, etc.
Here is a list of some of the accessible venues or features in the City Centre:
Clothes Shops with accessible changing rooms, city centre
Evans Women’s wear (Mander Centre ground floor), TK Maxx, BHS, Marks & Spencer.
Accessible features of pubs and clubs, City Centre
Braille: Yates’s wine lodge (Queen Square),
Wheelchair access: The Bank (Lichfield Street),
Accessible Toilets: The Cuban Exchange(Exchange street), The Bank (Lichfield Street), Goose in the city, Moon under the water Lichfield street, The Varsity(Stafford Street), Atlantis (Bilston Street), Walkabout (Queen Street)
Accessible features of cafes and restaurants City Centre
Wheelchair access: Beatties, Marks &Spencer’s café, BHS restaurant, The Bank Lichfield street, MacDonalds Dudley street, Harry’s Bar &Bistro the racecourse, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Costa Coffee, Morellis (Wulfrun Centre), O’Neill’s (Mander centre first floor)
Braille Menus: Pizza Hut, Victoria street, Wolverhampton Art Gallery lichfield street.
Accessible Toilets: Bella Chapel Ash, Horizon Balti, made in Thai Darlington Street, Pizza Hut Victoria Street., Wolverhampton art Gallery, Costa Coffee at Beatties
Your rights as a shopper>>