Normanby Hall receives award for being disability friendly

The Opening Doors Mystery Shopper project was set-up by North Lincolnshire Council’s Integrated Services for Disabled Children and VANL (Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire) to give young people aged between 14 and 25 a voice. It gives them an opportunity to say how they find accessing services and buildings in North Lincolnshire.

The project looks at the accessibility, facilities and staff awareness for people that have disabilities and how they are able to access the services.

The mystery shops are carried out and scored against a set of criteria, and the award is presented accordingly. Normanby Hall was visited numerous times over a few months to ensure that all areas were covered and scored.

Areas that have made Normanby Hall ‘disability friendly’ are:

Accessible buildings

Change Places facility

Woodlands paths

Free pass for carers

Mobility scooter and wheelchair hire

Accessible bike hire (available in the New Year)

Land train adapted for wheelchair users

Staff training

Councillor John Briggs, cabinet member for asset manager, culture and housing, said: “Normanby Hall is a wonderful venue and we want to ensure that everyone can access all areas. Therefore we will do all we can to provide accessible facilities and services for disabled people.

“Moving forward we will continue to make Normanby Hall Country Park as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. We are planning to carry out consultations over the coming year to find out what our users would like to see in the Park, and how we can enhance disabled peoples’ visits.”

Vickie Ehret from VANL said: “The Mystery Shopper’s project involves a small group of volunteers going out to visit various locations across North Lincolnshire, which gives young people the chance to have their say about the accessibility and the inclusion that services, facilities and buildings have to offer.

“Normanby Hall made sufficient improvements to help make a difference to the lives of people that have a disability and resulted in them being given a silver award in the recent awards presentation in December.

“If anyone would like more information about the project or are interested in volunteering then please call Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire on 01724 845155.”

Normanby Hall is supporting Disabled Access Day on January 17 when it will be free entry. Staff will also be on hand to answer any questions and show people around the facilities. For more information visit: www.disabledaccessday.com.

You can find out about accessibility at Normanby Hall Country Park on their website, www.normanbyhall.co.uk, to help you plan your visit to the Park.