Union Chapel has become more accessible and inclusive for a wider range of visitors, supported by accessibility and inclusive design advice from the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE).
CAE undertook an accessibility audit at the 900-seater, Grade I listed, 19th-century church, to find out how key aspects could be improved so that more people can enjoy and access its building and services.
As a result of the audit, the chapel – which is also home to live entertainment venue and a charity drop-in centre for the homeless, run by the charity Union Chapel Project – has had power-assisted side entrance doors, as well as an accessible toilet, installed.
Barbara Basini, Head of Conservation and Building Projects at Union Chapel Project, said: “Accessibility is a major issue in our buildings, due to their age and design, so we wanted to put it at the top of the agenda. We were keen to hire an experienced auditor with an understanding of access issues in historic buildings.
This work formed part of UCP’s Sunday School Stories Project, which focused on upgrading its Grade II* listed building Sunday School Hall to bring back to community use and up to a modern standard.
CAE carried out a review of Union Chapel Project’s design proposal for the retrofit and renovation of its Sunday School Hall. This resulted in the inclusion of inclusive features, such as an accessible tea point (an area crafted to provide refreshment facilities such as hot drinks and snacks), and a hearing loop (an assistive hearing system), which will be installed in the hall in the near future.
Ms. Basini said: “More disabled people can now access our public spaces and services, which was our aim. Our next step is to follow the other recommendations from the audit and include them in our business plan so that we can provide easy user access to the space and our facilities.”
CAE’s Head of Business Development Fara Muneer said: “We’re really pleased to work with Union Chapel on this project. It’s such a popular church and live arts venue with connections to many communities across London and beyond, so it’s brilliant that a wider range of people can access it safely and comfortably.
“Union Chapel shows that large heritage buildings can be improved for access purposes without compromising their looks and original design.”
CAE’s consultancy work for the Union Chapel Project was funded by City Bridge Foundation, London’s largest independent charity funder. CAE – which is part of Habinteg Housing Association – recently launched London Inclusive Communities, a new, free service designed to help charities, voluntary groups and community organisations create more inclusive, accessible spaces and services.
Sunday School Stories Project was made possible thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players, as well as Historic England, City Bridge Foundation, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, Foyle Foundation, Benefact Trust, Islington Community Energy Fund, National Churches Trust, Friends of Union Chapel, The Rose Foundation, Islington Archaeology & History Society, Union Chapel Members, and individual supporters, with thanks to the Mayor of London.
Top image: the refurbished Sunday School Hall; middle left: a new accessible toilet at Union Chapel.