Access For All (Leisure and social activities for wheel chair users)

General Information

There are many charities, voluntary organisations and clubs that organise leisure and social activities in the area, which are targeted at specific groups of people (ie. people with disabilities, elderly, ethnic communities, etc).

There are also many self-help groups. Solihull local information directory and Solihull Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) keep a directory of local clubs, self help groups and voluntary organisations, please contact them for further information.

Solihull CVS at The Priory, Church Hill Road, Solihull B91 3LF.
Tel: 0121 704 1619
e-mail: voluntaryservice@btconnect.com

or

Solihull CVS at Keepers Lodge, Chelmsley Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 7RS.
Tel: 0121 788 1264.

Arts

Solihull Arts and Tourism Service comprises of the Tourist Information and Booking Office and the Solihull Arts Complex, situated in Library Square, Touchwood. There is also direct access through Touchwood to the High Street and from Homer Road.

The Arts Complex comprises Theatre, Studio and Gallery and is accessible for people with disabilities. Work has been carried out on the theatre's backstage area making it more accessible for people with disabilities including adapted dressing room facilities and new access lifts. Disabled parking is available in Touchwood Car Park and patrons should park in the 'Orange Zone' allowing for easy access to lifts and escalators. Parking costs £1.00 after 6.30 pm and the car park closes at midnight.

The Tourist Information and Booking Office has information on a selection of local pubs, restaurants and hotels, which are accessible for people with disabilities. Arts Complex tickets are sold here and you should inform the member of staff of your requirements when you book, as wheelchair spaces are available in the front row.

Fully adapted toilet facilities are available. An induction loop has been fitted in the Theatre and at the Tourist Information and Booking Office. Please switch hearing aids to position 'T'.

The Arts Complex also produces an enlarged copy of its seasonal brochure script, which is available from the Promotions Manager.

Libraries

All the libraries in Solihull Borough are accessible and the staff are happy to be of assistance if required. For further details of the Mobile Library Service and the service for housebound people and residential homes visit the libraries webpage.

All libraries can provide a wide range of stock including fiction, non-fiction, leaflets, large print books and spoken word cassettes. Music books, CDs, tapes and videos are also available at some sites.

Databases of local and national organisations in relation to disability, health and elderly people are available.

Clubs and activities for disabled and elderly people

There are many local clubs and voluntary organisations where there is access for disabled people. There are also clubs specifically for disabled people, such as Solihull Society for the Physically Handicapped and Shirley Handicap Club. Some clubs are for people with specific disability or health problems, such as Solihull Stroke Club and Lowbrook Stroke Club.