It has been a great 2015 – a huge thank you to all those that have supported us this year. We wish you a very merry Xmas and hoping for lots of wonderful and memorable days out in 2016.

Some of our successes include:

Continued to use our income to purchase and supply  max cards to our families whom may otherwise not benefit from a family days out.

Supported campaigns to improve equality in society.

Our operational progress has included:

• Assisting and taking a place on the England Inclusive Action Steering Group,
• Led and delivered training with our colleagues from Accessible Derbyshire and Access Solutions for Visit England to over 50 businesses across England,
• Delivered training across England to National Trust and English Heritage properties,
• Worked with organisations on their access statements to improve information,
• Developed a range of training packages,
• Updated our website,
• Increased our reach on social media,
• Recruited a team of associates and a fabulous finance officer,
• Worked alongside colleagues in the field of accessible tourism,
• Spoken at conferences and written articles for magazines,
• Had successful grants awards.

…….and more plans for 2016.

We at Visits Unlimited are passionate about the experience visitors with specific needs receive at venues. It’s vital staff are trained in access awareness as part of the access strategy your business should have developed.

EuansGuide has published a survey with the findings highlighting the priorities for visitors with access requirements.

Again service is a key factor in the decision to visit a venue a second time.  But great service requires specialist training for this loyal audience.

Team Annie decided to go to one of the UK’s top attraction, The Deep, a spectacular aquarium.  Annie wanted to see the penguins (so did I).  Would we experience  the hype of a totally accessible venue or would we be left floundering in the deep end!  Here’s our rating.

Arrival & Parking – 5 stars

It doesn’t get any better than this.  Signposts of the main routes are super so no getting lost and flustered before we arrived.  We knew where to go as we downloaded the access guide off the website.

Met at the entrance to the carpark by a welcoming marshal who directed us to the disabled parking bays.  It’s a dedicated entrance for disabled visitors where we found level access, loads of spaces and clearly marked signage stating ‘free parking for disabled.’

Access – 5 stars

The facility is ramped throughout so Annie was independent throughout the whole experience. Particular nice touches included raised tables in the café so Annie could slot her chair in and not drop food down her front as a result of trying to reach for her meal (her tartan dress stayed crumb free).

Many of the exhibits are interactive – grab, turn, twist stuff round as well at watch listen and learn experiences.

Toilets – 3 stars

The only area for improvement is the toilets. They are clearly signposted and placed all around the site so no chance of delays and possible accidents as a result, but they are small. The ‘crew’ team will offer assistance and there is the use of the first aid room to change Annie if I’d needed to, avoiding the humiliation of changing her on the deck!

Staff – 5 stars

Dedicated access team meet you at the entrance and take your booking – no hassles over proof or negotiations on ticketing prices. There is the offer of help throughout the experience if required and a big smile from everyone for Annie and her team. We were made to feel special throughout the whole experience. It was noticeable how many disabled visitors were there on the day and how many young couples with buggies were enjoying the day. What more could you ask for.

Great day out and going back again – and it’s free next time for repeat visits for all of us!!

We are really delighted to introduce to you Have Wheelchair Will Travel from Australia. A wonderful organisation established by a parent of a disabled child. Do check out the link to their excellent guide to booking an accessible hotel! We love it and hope you do too.
http://havewheelchairwilltravel.net/booking-an-accessible-hotel-2/
Julie explains the reasons behind setting up the website and face book pages.
“Have Wheelchair Will Travel came about after our family had a fantastic holiday to the US. I researched details to make sure the trip went smoothly and when it did I wanted to share the details to help others travelling with a family member with a disability. It seemed a waste for that information to go no further than our family. The website now combines skills I have gained in different areas of my life including as a travel consultant, mother to BJ who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and all the therapy skills I have gained. My aim is to share any piece of information which I feel may help another person in a similar situation.”

We will be keeping up to date with the work that Have Wheelchair Will Travel is doing and we do hope that it will help lots of families all over the world plan their next holiday.
Thanks to Julie and we wish her lots of luck with her work.

Matt Riley contributes to an excellent article in the Museums and Heritage Advisor.  It’s fabulous that many attractions are taking positive steps in becoming more inclusive to all visitors across society.

http://advisor.museumsandheritage.com/features/accessibility-in-museums-creating-a-barrier-free-cultural-landscape/

Well its official, it’s COLD, not below freezing cold but it’s pretty chilly!! Up here in the cold, wet and windy West Yorkshire it’s not exactly dream weather and the idea of going out… well it’s just not a good idea especially if you’re at home wrapped up in numerous chunky jumpers with the fire on and a cuppa, why would you bother going out?

But after spending the summer months out and about enjoying the warm weather and sunshine you’re unlikely to continue your adventures outside for a while, so what now? How can you get out of the house with the kids and still have a good time without freezing to death? Below is a list of indoor, and for the brave ones out there, outdoor activities for you and your family to enjoy in the months to come!

For the Artsy people out there here’s a great list of craft things to do with the kids!

Acorn Owls – http://bkids.typepad.com/bookhoucraftprojects/2010/11/tetx.html

Leaf Rubbing – http://mumofthreemusketeers.com/

Leaf hedgehogs – http://www.tamingtwins.com/2014/11/12/3-autumn-leaf-crafts-for-toddlers/

Leaf crowns – http://www.tamingtwins.com/

Pine Cone Frames – http://mumofthreemusketeers.com/three-things-to-do-in-autumn/

For the rough and ready people out there who enjoy the crisp autumn air and the adventures in the outdoors here’s a list of places to go!

Go on a treasure hunt – with a bit of preparation you can turn a normal walk through the wood into an exciting adventure for you and the kids!

Conkers – not only do they keep away spiders if you put them around your home but they’re a great thing to start collecting! And of course, you can play a game of conkers!

Build a stick den – to find out how to make a stick den check out this link >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFUSomJ3Zzk

Go berry picking – at this time of year the autumn bushes are groaning to be picked, and maybe even put into a pie??

Bike ride – just because it’s a bit chilly doesn’t mean you have to abandon those bikes you’ve been riding around on all summer!

For the people out there who aren’t so keen on the cold weather but still want to get out of the house here’s a list of places to go that doesn’t require you to freeze to have fun!

Central England – this link covers things to do in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Warwickshire, Peak District and West Midlands >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#centralengland&family&attractions

East of England – this link covers things to do in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#eastofengland&family&attractions

North East England – this link covers things to do in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#northeastengland&family&attractions

North West England – this link covers things to do in Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#northwestengland&family&attractions

Northern England – https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#northernengland&family&attractions

South East England – Hampshire, London, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, West Sussex, Isle of Wight, East Sussex and Brighton >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#southeastengland&family&attractions

South East England – This link covers things to do in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol >>> https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/family#southwestengland&family&attractions

Delicious Autumn Recipes

Autumn Tomato Chutney:

Prep: 40-50 minutes

Cook: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1kg ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

• 750g cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped

• 375g light muscovado sugar

• 250g onions, chopped

• 250g raisins

• 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped

• 2 tsp salt ½ tsp ground ginger

• 350ml cider vinegar

Method:

Put all the ingredients into a large pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Boil the mixture, uncovered, for about 45-50 mins until the fruit is tender and thickened. Cool, then transfer the mixture to a sterilised jar and seal.

Autumn vegetable soup with cheesy toast:

Prep: 10-15 minutes

Cook: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 leek, chopped quite small
• 2 carrots, chopped quite small
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 potato, chopped quite small
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
• ½ tsp sugar
• 410g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 x 400g cans chopped Italian tomatoes
• 425ml/¾ pint vegetable stock
• 8 slices of baguette, cut on the diagonal
• 1 garlic clove, cut in half
• 50g edam, finely grate

Method:

• Put the vegetables into a large saucepan with the garlic, rosemary, stock and sugar. Season well, stir, bring to a simmer and cover. Cook gently for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.
• Preheat the grill to high. Whizz the tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth, then tip into the vegetables with the chickpeas and parsley. Gently heat through, stirring now and then.
• For the toasts: rub both sides of the bread with the garlic. Grill on one side until golden, turn the bread over, cover with edam and grill until it’s bubbling. Serve at once with the piping hot soup.

Baked fruity Autumn pudding:

Prep: 20-25 minutes

Cook: 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 450g mixed autumn fruit – we used ripe plums, peeled apples, pears and blackberries

• 2 tbsp butter, plus extra for greasing

• 200g caster sugar

• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

• 300g self-raising flour

• 140g shredded suet

• zest 1 lemon

Method:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut 2 x 5cm-wide strips of parchment and lay them up the sides of a 1.2-litre pudding basin, making a cross on the bottom of the dish. Make sure there is some overhang to help you release the pudding when cooked. Grease again. Lay a square of foil and equal-size square of greased parchment on top of each other, folding a pleat down the middle.

• To make the filling, chop plums, apples and pears into 1cm cubes and place in a bowl with the blackberries. Add butter, broken into bits, 125g of sugar and cinnamon. Stir and put to the side.

• Sift flour into mixing bowl. Mix in suet, remaining sugar and zest. Add a few drops of water, working it through with a cutlery knife, then keep adding water until you have soft dough. Using your hand, bring the dough together into a smooth ball. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface. Tear the dough into ¾ and ¼ parts. Roll the larger portion into a rough circle, approx 20cm. Drop into the basin and press up the sides until you have a slight overhang. Tip the filling into the pastry case. Roll out the remaining ¼ to make a lid, then press the pastry edges together to firmly seal. Tuck the protruding flaps of parchment down onto pastry.

• Put foil/parchment on top (foil side up), pressing and squeezing the foil round the edges to make a fitted lid. Tie string securely around the lid, making a handle with extra doubled-up string. Put in a deep roasting tin, then pour boiling water to 1-2cm below foil line. Cook for 2 hrs, topping up water level if it gets too low. Unwrap, release edges using parchment tabs and invert onto a plate.

All these recipes were taken from the bbc, to see more great recipes follow this link >> http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12844/baked-fruity-autumn-pudding

I hope you enjoy these Autumn activities and escape the world of cold and boredom this year! Can’t wait to hear what you think!! Next up.. CHRISTMAS!!!

So nice to see more people are trying to make a difference for disabled people like United Discriminates..

“UNITED DISCRIMINATES was formed in October 2014 after the Manchester United Disabled Liaison Officer, and MUDSA (Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association) Secretary told me that i should take my Family to “Rochdale Stockport Or Oldham” because they were not able to seat a family together if a member of the family had a wheelchair.

Since then, we have worked tirelessly to highlight the many discriminatory policy’s in place at Manchester United.  And requested that the club develop a range of facilities for people with all manner of disabilities and or needs.

We have Campaigned for a many things including accessible seats, access to season tickets for disabled fans, Family Accessible Seating, and the End of the MUDSA yellow card scheme, which banned disabled fans if they fail to attend a match.

We are pleased to Confirm that the Campaign has started to make an effect and we are now in Regular Contact with Senior Management at the club, who are it seems making efforts to put things right.

So far we have seen the Club

• Introduce Accessible Friend and Family Seating
  The club have adapted 4 Existing Wheel Chair bays and Added a Row of Seats directly behind, which means that a small group or a family can now sit together at Old Trafford
• End of Red and Yellow Card Scheme
  The Club have also confirmed this scheme has been scrapped.
• Raise awareness of Issues Disabled User Have
  The club are currently conducting a review of facilities, policies and procedures with respect to supporters who may have a disability, with the objective of making significant improvements over the coming seasons.
  You can be part of this by clicking the link.

Manchester United state that there “facilities are considered to be amongst the best facilities currently offered to disabled supporters at any stadium anywhere in the world”.  United Discriminate want that statement to be true.

The campaign is starting to make real strides, and it seems that Manchester United are starting to listen and change the way in which they act.  The United Discriminate Campaign will continue to support Disabled Fans, both home and away, and raise the issues and concerns fans have.

Our aim is simple.  We want Manchester United’s Facilities to be as they say, “The Best In the World”.  That means not just achieving the Guidelines in the Accessible Stadia Guide, but over achieving them.  Which means we still will be pushing for.

• More Disabled Seating
  
• A fair and transparent Ballot Ticket Process for All Disabled Fans
• The availability of Purchasing Season Tickets as a Disabled Fan
• Greater Access to Other Parts of the Stadium, Not just the Ability Suite
• Changing Places Toilet Facilities
• A more Proactive way of dealing with Issues
• Disabled Facilities, Seating and Facilities included in all Future Expansions plans”

It’s great news that the Premier League had accessibility on the agenda at their shareholders meeting last week and good news that media is spreading the message for access to be improved at Premier League grounds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34249011

Visits Unlimited is passionate about delivering quality training to staff and stewards at sports grounds. Through our networks we have heard countless stories of poor experiences of disabled people and their families whilst watching matches. We know the difference that good quality customer service training makes to confidence building and disability etiquette.  Stadia managers and Safety Officers also appreciate the knowledge gained from such training.

“Through working in partnership with Visits Unlimited the Safety Stewards at the Shay Stadium have recently received excellent training on how to improve spectator experience on match days. The training sessions focused on the positive adjustments we can make to a spectator’s visit which promote an enjoyable experience and leave a lasting impression.”  Mike Murray, Sport and Active Leisure Manager.

So, we are delighted to see that “ Disability access was discussed at the Premier League shareholders meeting last week with several new proposals agreed.”

The new report – completed jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Culture, Media and Sport – recommends:

• Planning attendance: Clubs should provide attendance for all groups of disabled people. They should provide information such as stadium distance from local parking and gradient of pavements.
• Buying a ticket: Clubs should allow disabled spectators to buy tickets online. They should provide wheelchair seating that allows disabled spectators to sit with family and friends.
• Travelling to and from the venue: Clubs should provide up to date transport information.
• Overall experience: Match day and club stewards should be given disability awareness training, while abusive behaviour towards disabled spectators should not be tolerated.
• Aids and adaptations: Clubs should increase the number of wheelchair user places for stadiums with more than 10,000 seats.”

We know too that CAFÉ (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) have worked closely with UEFA for a number of years and produced this excellent report that talks about the importance of training for staff and stewards.

http://www.cafefootball.eu/~cafefoot/sites/default/files/contentfiles/pdfs/UEFAandCAFEGoodPracticeGuide-accessible%281%29.pdf

A super day with all the team at Rainham Hall keen on learning to meet the needs of disabled visitors at their property.

With the recent facilities completed and staff trained in giving and exceptional standard of service to all visitors, it’s exciting times for the team.