Space for Change

LATEST NEWS: The residents are preparing as we speak for their big move in October, the flats are looking lovely as is Space for Change. The equipment is in place and the soundproofing screens have been fitted. We shall be updating this page with new pictures of our lovely new space shortly.

The Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled will have a fourth premise in March 2011 which will be used to develop an accessible community space for disabled people, where they can meet, socialise and feedback on the services available to them locally.

It will also provide an accessible space for hire which can be used for meetings and training by local disabled and voluntary sector groups.

Above this new community space are 10 accessible flats, the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People held a consultation meeting with the residents on the 15th September 2010 to discuss their ideas for the space and how we, the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People and the residents, can make the most of the space. The minutes from that meeting can be found below:

Space for Change Meeting with Residents

Sam Hubbert, Operations Officer for the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People has continued these discussions with the residents and is in the process of setting up a steering group for the venue.

View a map of the space here

Here are some early images of Space for Change:

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This is the entrance to the venue from Windlesham Avenue, there will be both ramp and step access. There will be an intercom system at reception and the door will be operated by an automatic push pad.

This is the view as you enter Space for Change, to the left of the entrance will be the reception and a meeting area, stright ahead the space opens up, to the left will be the accesible computer suite with assisted technology such as voice recognition software, video conferencing, a smart interactive whiteboard system and much more and to the right is the kitchen area. To the right of the entrance, opposite the reception area there will be an accessible toilet and through from this there will be another smaller toilet and an office and meeting room

This is a view of the reception area and meeting space. There will be soundproofed concertina partitions which can be used to divide up the space depending on what it is being used for.

This space will be the base for the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People's Get Involved project but it will also be fitted with conferencing facilties and can be hired out for meetings.

This view is from the kitchen, down the length of the space, to the right there will be kitchen facilities such as a talking dishwasher and microwave, sink, kettle etc. to the left will be storage units and seating. Straight ahead shows the computer suite and meeting space.

This view is taken from the opposite end, from the computer suite and meeting space, towards the kitchen. To the middle right, where the work men can be seen, is out to the reception and entrance area.