Accessibility and Inclusion at Patterdale Hall

We encourage all groups to contact us in advanced to discuss their needs and in most cases, arrange a tour of the centre. We will then work with group leaders to draw up plans to make reasonable adjustments to programmes that cater for their guests.

Facilities

Our centre is based in a Grade II listed Victorian Country House and is surrounded by traditional landscaped gardens. Although accessibility may occasionally be restricted due to the historical nature of the building and grounds, we have taken proactive measures to make adjustments and are continually striving to enhance accessibility for our guests including:

  • Accessible, ground floor, shower and toilet facilities in our coach house
  • Threshold mats
  • Wheelchair ramp into the main dining and lounge areas
  • Dorm room fitted with a strobe alarm
  • Outside annex room with toilet / shower alarm system and linked carers accommodation next door. This twin room is also assessible for a children’s wheelchair.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

We have a lot of experience catering for a range of religious dietary requirements and catering needs, for example halal diets and adjusting meal times or making provision in accordance with Ramadan.

Working inline with the Bolton School Equality and Diversity Policy, as well as in conjunction with our visiting groups, we strive to maintain an awareness, understanding and respect of religious beliefs to allow us to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate religious practices.

We work alongside Group Leaders to facilitate prayer times and can provide, where possible, dedicated rooms or spaces for prayer. We have a number of prayer mats available for use by our guests.

In order to ensure that we can offer these adjustments to help all our guests to fully participate in their programme we work closely with group leaders to gather information and details of their needs prior to their arrival.

Additional Needs and Different Abilities

Our ethos is to reduce barriers to ensure that outdoor learning is accessible to every student and guest who visits our centre.

We recommend that Group Leaders, along with any individuals identified by them who could benefit, visit the centre before their main group visit. These familiarisation visits are advantageous for both Group Leaders and Centre Staff. Once we are informed of any specific needs, we can collaborate with Group Leaders and, if necessary, parents to make necessary arrangements.

Plans could include, but are not limited to:

  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
  • Comprehensive Medical Consent Forms
  • Additional details regarding specific dietary requirements

All staff have Special Educational Needs (SEN) training.

Diversity

We recognise, appreciate, and celebrate in the unique qualities of individuals, and we urge Group Leaders to provide any relevant details about their guests, as appropriate. This allows us to better prepare for a group’s arrival and make necessary arrangements to ensure everyone can fully participate in their residential / activity programme.

We have single sex changing areas and toilets and all of our dormitories, which can be utilised as required, are ensuite.