Free Accessibility Reviews from Sponsors Access Cornwall

Cornish CIC is awarded over £60,000 to provide community groups and charities in West Cornwall with free accessibility reviews

Access Cornwall CIC, a charitable organisation in Cornwall supporting people with disabilities has been awarded over £60,000 in funding to help community groups and charities in West Cornwall to become more accessible to all.

The Community Accessibility Leadership Programme is a transformative project aimed at enhancing accessibility in the communities of Redruth, Camborne, Helston, and Penzance and the surrounding areas.

The funding has been allocated by Cornwall Council’s Community Levelling Up Programme. The Community Levelling Up Programme is part of the Good Growth Programme which is delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

This innovative initiative will build a network of Accessibility Leaders who will be trained to deliver accessibility reviews and advice within their communities.

The Access Cornwall team will support organisations such as Natural England and parish councils to make sure site improvements and new projects are as accessible as possible.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this funded service which will allow people who live with disabilities, including hidden challenges such as autism to have a say in how sites are updated and designed to make sure they are accessible and enjoyed by as many people as possible,” says Viki Carpenter, founding director of Access Cornwall.

Helen Martin, fellow director of Access Cornwall adds: “It is not just about supporting people in wheelchairs, like my own daughter Holly. This project involves people who might have other challenges, such as hearing or vision impairments, or those who are older and use walking frames or other mobility aids. We have so many enquiries asking for our team to offer this valuable advice from organisations, but often they cannot afford the high fees involved from private companies. This project allows us to bring in our team with their valuable experience of living with disabilities and challenges and give valuable advice and insights that make places more enjoyable for many people, including the families and friends of those with disabilities.”

The team are currently seeking applications from volunteers who would like to become accessibility champions as well as expressions of interest from organisations who would like to benefit from the accessibility reviews and support that Access Cornwall is funded to provide up to December 2024.

For more information about the Community Accessibility Leadership Programme please contact Becky Abrey, Accessibility Ambassador Access Cornwall CIC becky@accesscornwall.org.uk.