The Mayor's Award for Access

The Guildford Access Group is in search of winners for this award. The group looks for the people and places that make a real difference to the lives of disabled people.

This year's Mayor's Award for Access took place on Tuesday 15 October from 7pm at the Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead.

The categories for the awards are:

services to the community
access through the arts
access through sports
customer services swards
accessible premises for public use (bronze/silver/gold)

Criteria for Accessible Premises Award

Bronze Award:

level or suitably ramped access
stepped access to have handrails
doors suitably weighted to facilitate ease of opening
minimum width of main entrance door 800mm
level access throughout ground floor
public areas clear of obstructions with good circulation space
easy access to payment facilities in shops
provision of sound enhancement system at public reception or till points
assistance with packing and shopping in retail premises.
restaurants to have moveable seating

Silver Award:

As above plus:

lift access to upper floors
low level counters at reception desks or till points
staff to have undergone disability needs awareness training
provision of seating for customers/visitors
provision of a wheelchair accessible toilet which meets current design standards
accessible parking provided within any provision for customers or visitors
printed material (including menus, bar tariffs etc) is available in large clear print

Gold Award:

As above plus:

automatic doors on public entrances
low level lift buttons both on landings and in lift cars
lift buttons to visually contrasting against background with raised lettering and voice announcement
customer information signs have large clear print in contrasting colours to the background
one to one assistance available
company has a Disabled Access Policy and ongoing monitoring programme. This ensures they maintain standards of current best practice in design
printed material is available in alternative formats
building management carry out regular health and safety and maintenance checks
providing evidence of undertaking consultation with user groups fulfilling a public body's duty to provide equality impact surveys for premises within the public sector

Local Groups to receive Mayor's Award for Access

Local organisations that help provide better access to buildings and services for people with disabilities were recognised at a special ceremony on Tuesday 15 October 2024 at 7pm.

The Mayor's Award for Access is given to those who have made a positive contribution to the lives of people with disabilities and are awarded by the Access Group for Guildford. The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker will present this year's winners with their awards at a ceremony at the Baptist Church, Guildford. The winners are:

Premises access award winners

Gold Award
West Horsley Place

Silver Award
Guildford Baptist Church for their Changing Places Facilities
Fairlands Doctor's Surgery

Bronze Award
St Nicolas Church
Shere Village Hall

Services to the community award winners

Simon Teagle and his co-fundraisers for raising 12K in May doing the Cornish Coast Challenge for the Samson Centre for MS Sufferers

Kane Radio Station - Mind Waveswhich is a youth project for 14-25 year olds with special needs and/or mental health challenges

Normandy Village Shop and Café for all of their hard work which is owned by the community, run by the community for the community

Mack Entertainment, which provides singing to Old Age People's Homes helping to uplift the spirits of residents at old age people's homes