www.vassallcentre.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What do you mean by Barrier Free?

A Barrier Free is an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or circumstance.  It can also be called Universal Design.  It recognises that people with impairments find that traditional design frequently creates barriers for them - thus creating disability. The "universal" approach designs a building that is suitable fto be used by people with any form of impairment.  As has been said; "If you get it right for all disabled people, you get it right for every one".

Modern thinking recognises that traditional environments create disability and that if you create a building without barriers, you do not have disabled people.  As a wheelchair-using member of staff said; "in the Vassall Centre I am not disabled".   Our pioneering concept makes our building the front-runner in design for people with all forms of impairment. Our model of accessibility is visionary, and way ahead of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Q How can barrier free office space help provide equality for people with disabilities?

A We believe that all are equal in an inclusive environment.  If accessible office space is provided, then disabled people can work with the freedom and ease that others take for granted. Disabled people can achieve their potential and can lead and work in voluntary organisations that provide services to disabled people. We can see that we are making progress towards successfully achieving our triple aims of access, equality, and empowerment for disabled people.  The figures speak for themselves: the proportion of disabled people working in the Vassall Centre is 5x greater than the national average and will rise as redevelopment progresses.

Q   How long has it taken you to develop such a large building so far?

A We have been transforming this 43,000sq ft building into barrier free space since 2001 and we are over half way there.  We are very proud that we have achieved so much already, but we still have a way to go, as there are over four spurs still to regenerate.  This work is dependent on raising the necessary finances and we are continually striving to gain funding in order to continue our work.  If we are able to raise the remaining £2M+, then we hope to have the building complete by 2012.

Q   How much do the conference facilities cost to hire?

A There are various charges depending on the type of organisation and how many rooms are required.  Prices are very competitive anyway, but there is a sliding scale of charges which vary according to the voluntary, statutory of commercial status of the organisation. For more information on costs, please phone 0117 9659630 or look on the Conference Centre pages of this site

Q   Can any organisation use the David Hiatt Baker Conference Centre?

A Although office space in the Vassall Centre is intended for organisations which involve disabled people, the David Hiatt Baker Conference Centre can be used by any organisation.

Q   Do you have meeting or break-out rooms?

A Yes, we have three rooms which can access up to 10 or 20 people, depending on the arrangement and dimensions of the room. These rooms can be rented singly, as a group or with the conference room.  There is also an anteroom which is a convenient space to use for catering and refreshments.

Q   Is catering provided when the conference facilities are hired?

A It's up to you.  You can provide your own catering at a charge of £15.  We can organise catering on request.  Hot food or cold buffets are available. To find out more, visit the catering section of this website, or phone; 0117 9659 630.

Q   I would like to find out more about renting an office space at the Vassall Centre.

A If you think that your organisation is ‘compliant', in other words, that it meets all or some of the criteria below:

• It works on behalf of disabled people
• It has disabled people on the board of directors
• It employs some staff who are disabled

and you want to find out more about rental space, costs and facilities, please visit the tenancies section of this website, or phone 0117 965 1722

Q   How is the Vassall Centre Trust funded?

A We receive no statutory funding.  The majority of our funds come from grant making trusts and foundations. We have been awarded Lottery funding, and a small amount comes from businesses, groups and indivuduals.

Q   Where can I find copies of your audited accounts?

A You can contact our financial director by ringing 0117 9651707 or go to the Charity Commission website to view the Vassall Centre Trust Audited Accounts for year ending 30 September 2006. You can also view all previous years’ accounts.