Accessibility project now complete
.
The local community will now benefit following the opening of a new access ramp enabling easy access between the Church and Hall whilst linking to the street and the garden. At the same time 4 new uni-sex toilets (including a fully accessible one) and automatic doors have been installed in the lobby to the hall.
The opening ceremony to be held on Sunday October 1st at 12 noon will be attended by representatives of those who have helped to fund the project, as well as Church members and hall users. Local City Councillor, Tim Bick, says: “Congratulations to the Unitarian Church on the completion of this project. Their buildings already offer a vital place where the community as well as their own congregation can come together - and this will enable it to be still more open and inclusive."
The new facilities will be of great benefit to the many community groups which use the church and hall, and was made possible by a grant of £44,000 from WREN’S FCC Community Action Fund, a grant from the John Gregson Trust and generous donations from members and friends of the congregation.
construction of the toilets
The Revd Andrew Brown, Minister, is delighted that the project is now in use.
He says: “This vital facility is going to make a real difference to those who use it, giving us a truly inclusive venue. We are extremely grateful to WREN and the John Gregson Trust for providing funding as we would not have been able to go ahead without their support.”
Cheryl Raynor, WREN’s grant manager for Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, says: “It’s wonderful to see something we have funded finally open and ready to make such a difference to the local community. WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference and this is a great example of what can be achieved.”
construction and 'testing' of the ramp
The Hall is let on a regular and occasional basis to a very wide range of community groups, and is a popular city-centre venue. The Church is used for regular Sunday services, weddings and funerals and also for concerts and community meetings. For hire details see our website: https://www.cambridgeunitarian.org/about/venue-booking, we are also on Facebook