Inclusive Information - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Inclusive ABC

Welcome to our Inclusive ABC information section where you will find information about a range of accessible facilities, activities and events.

This information page has been created to make it easier for residents to find out more about what’s on offer to help those with additional support needs.

Events

Georgian Day

We endeavour to make our events as inclusive as possible to those with accessibility and sensory needs. Please note the following accessibility arrangements for the Georgian Festival weekend:

Friday 29 Nov (Light Show)

A quiet space is available at the Market Place Theatre (5.30pm – 8.30pm).
Accessible toilet in the Market Place Theatre.
Disabled parking is available within city centre car parks.

Saturday 30 Nov (Georgian Day & Light Show)

The Mobile Accessible Toilet is available along the Mall East (12noon – 9pm).
Accessible portable toilets are available along the Mall East (12noon – 9pm).
A quiet space is available at the Market Place Theatre (12noon – 9pm).
A quiet space is available along the Mall (12noon – 6pm).
Disabled parking is available within city centre car parks.
There is disabled access on our Park & Ride Coaches.

For those who have already purchased Light Show tickets – provision is available for the accessible platform, sensory areas and disabled parking. Please email requests to

Click here for more information on Georgian Day.

Three people dressed up in victorian clothes for the Georgian Day.

Santa on Tour - Relaxed Christmas

This December, children with additional needs can experience the joy and enchantment of Christmas in a tranquil and supportive setting at Bleary Business and Community Centre, Craigavon.

The Relaxed Christmas experience is designed to provide a memorable and enjoyable festive environment for families with children who have autism or Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The experience will offer a range of seasonal activities featuring thoughtfully chosen Christmas decorations, lighting, props, and sensory items.

Each family will have the opportunity to spend quality time together in a truly magical atmosphere, with the overall experience lasting approximately 40 minutes. Immerse yourself in a festive journey across the following zones:

Silent disco: Party with Santa’s Elf Gumdrop, the North Pole’s Best Dancer, under the glow of UV lighting. Participants can choose from three playlists on our silent disco headphones, ranging from chilled out festive tunes, to upbeat Christmas classics.

Mrs Claus’ Kitchen – Mrs Claus invites you to her kitchen to enjoy some messy roleplay during her busiest time of year.

North Pole Projection Show: You will be welcomed into an inflatable dome where you will experience an immersive 360 degree projection show that transports families to the North Pole in style.

Santa’s Grotto – Listen out for Santa’s Bell as each family will be invited to visit Santa and receive a goodie bag with a small sensory goodie bag. Creating magical memories for the whole family, the relaxed Christmas experience will bring Christmas alive with fun, laughter and festive excitement in abundance!

These unique and popular Relaxed Christmas experience events will take place on the following dates:

Wednesday I 4 December I 4pm-8pm
Thursday I 5 December I 4pm-8pm
Friday I 6 December I 4pm-8pm
Saturday I 7 December I 11am-6pm
Sunday I 8 December I 12noon-7pm
Monday I 9 December I 4pm-8pm
Tuesday I 10 December I 4pm-8 pm
Wednesday I 11 December I 4pm-8pm
Thursday I 12 December I 4pm-8pm
Friday I 13 December I 4pm-8pm
Saturday I 14 December I 11am-6pm
Sunday I 15 December I 12noon-7pm

The Relaxed Christmas experience is extremely popular; therefore pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. Click here to book tickets.

Please Note: Bleary Business and Community Centre, Craigavon is a fully accessible venue. The Mobile Accessible Toilet will also be available at the Relaxed Christmas events.

Click here for more information.

Female dressed as an elf standing beside a giant post box.

Facilities & Services

Venues & Council Facilities

We are working in partnership with AccessAble to provide accessibility information about our council facilities and a range of venues across the borough.

These detailed guides provide factual information and photographs to assist those with a disability to know in real terms how accessible a place or venue is prior to their visit.

To search for a venue or facility visit AccessAble.

Changing Places

There are currently 8 Changing Places toilet within council facilities.

Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers. The toilets give disabled people and their carers the space and equipment they need to have the confidence to leave their homes and go out.

The dry side changing room was recently upgraded at Banbridge Leisure Centre, thanks to funding from Department for Communities. A portable hoist is available on request.

JAM Card

JAM Card allows people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.

The JAM Card is a social innovation from the NOW Group, an organisation that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into employment. It was their service users who said they would like a discreet way of telling people that sometimes they need a little extra time and patience.

Those with a communication barrier are often reluctant or unable to tell others about their condition. JAM Card allows this to happen in a simple, effective non-verbal manner.

The JAM Card was created first as a Credit Card sized card but has also been developed into an app for smartphones.

The card or app can be used to alert staff in leisure centres or community centres for example that the person needs a little bit of patience and understanding when interacting with you.

You can find out more about the JAM Card at www.jamcard.org and NOW Group at www.nowgroup.org

getactiveabc Carers Card

Discounted membership for carers has been officially introduced across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s getactiveabc leisure facilities.

Following a successful pilot scheme of the getactiveabc carers card, led by the council and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), eligible caregivers will receive 20% discount to normal membership fees providing access to gym, swimming pools, classes in all centres, watersports and footgolf at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre!

The getactiveabc carers card is open to any ABC borough carer of an adult or child who uses the Southern Trust’s Learning Disability and Fostering services.

For further information on the getactiveabc carers membership, please email Bernie Marshall or Majella Gorman from the SHSCT

Mobile Accessible Toilet

The Mobile Accessible Toilet is a fantastic facility for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments. Key features of the unit include:

Adjustable ramp
Overhead hoist system
Height-adjustable bench
Peninsular toilet
Dropdown rails
Vertical grab rails
Wide paper roll dispenser
Full-length mirror
Paper towel dispenser
General waste bin
Sanitary bin
Coat hooks
Colostomy bag shelf

The Mobile Accessible Toilet is funded by the Department for Communities.

Upcoming events

Georgian Day

The Mobile Accessible Toilet will be available along the Mall East from 12noon – 9pm.
(Accessible portable toilets will be available along the Mall East from 12noon – 9pm).

Christmas Lights Switch Ons!

Portadown, Friday 15 November, 6pm-9pm: The Mobile Accessible Toilet will be available at the Portadown Plaza.
Lurgan, Saturday 16 November, 5pm-8pm: The Mobile Accessible Toilet will be available at the Lurgan Plaza.
Banbridge, Friday 29 November, 5pm-9pm: The Mobile Accessible Toilet will be available along Newry Street.

Play Parks

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
Inclusive Play Park Equipment

Armagh Area

Site	Parking	Toilets	Inclusive Play Park Equipment
Blackwatertown	Yes (roadside)	No	Basket Swing, Spinning Bowl
Cathedral Road	Yes	Toilets in community centre	Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Basket Swing
Clady, Cladymore, Markethill	Yes	No	Spinning Bowl
Derrynoose Play Area	Yes	Toilets in GAA hall	Basket Swing
Drumbeda Park	No	No	Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Basket Swing
Glen Road, Keady	Yes	Toilets in Tommy Makem Centre	Basket Swing Double with Slide Panels
Gosford Forest Park	Yes	Yes	Play Park: Basket Swing, Wheelchair Swing & Sensory Play Panels. Nature Play: various outdoor inclusive play on a 2km trail. All out trekking (for 12 years+)
Ivy Park, Middletown	Yes	No	Basket Swing
Killylea	Yes	No	Spinning Bowl
Kingston Memorial Playing Fields	Yes	No	Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Basket Swing, Play Panels including sensory play
Loughgall Village Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Spinning Bowl
Markethill Primary School	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Panels, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout
Milford	No	No	Inclusive Roundabout
Mossfield Estate, Glenanne	Yes (roadside)	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Panels, Wheelchair Roundabout
Navan Fort, Armagh	Yes	Yes	Sensory Play Equipment
Palace Stables, Armagh	Yes	Toilets at Orchard Leisure Centre	Harness Swing, Basket Swing, Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels
Poyntzpass	Yes (roadside)	Toilets at railway crossing	Harness Swing, Wheelchair Spin, Panels, Basket Swing
Richhill Community Centre	Yes	Toilets in recreation centre	Inclusive Roundabout, Basket Swing
Tandragee Recreational Grounds	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing
The Pond, Laurevale	Yes (roadside)	No	Inclusive Roundabout, Basket Swing, Panels
Tullysaran, Benburb	Yes (roadside)	No	Basket Swing, Panels

Banbridge Area

Site	Parking	Toilets	Inclusive Play Park Equipment
Castleview	Yes	No	Basket Swing
Dromore Town Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Ramped Junior Unit
Ervine Place, Warringsford	No	No	Swings & Dish Roundabout
Fairview Park	Yes (in estate)	No	Swings & Slides
Finnis Play Area	No	No	Swings
Fraser Park, Annaclone	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Play Panels, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout
Katesbridge Play Area	Yes	No	Swings & Basket Swing
Kinallen Play Park	Yes	No	Swings
Knock Terrace	No	No	Swings
Lawrencetown	No	No	Swings & Basket Swing
Lenaderg Play Area	Yes (residents)	No	Swings
Lissize Park	Yes (in estate)	No	Swings, Talk Tubes, Rocker
Loughbrickland Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels
Maglion Terrace	No	No	Spinning Dish
Millstone Close, Moneyslane	Yes (roadside)	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels
Mount Charles	No	No	Roundabout
Rathfriland Play Area	Yes	Yes	Swings
Scarva Park District Play Park	Yes	Yes	Wheelchair swing, Harness swing, Inclusive Roundabout, Inclusive Basket Swing, Inclusive Trampoline’s, Inclusive house, Inclusive bridge, Sensory Panels, Talking tubes
Solitude Park	Yes	Yes	Trampoline, Roundabouts, Play Panels, Basket Swings, Play House & Swings
Woodlands Play Park	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Inclusive Roundabout

Craigavon Area

Site	Parking	Toilets	Inclusive Play Park Equipment
Avenue Road Community Centre	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Inclusive Panels, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Birches Play Park	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Bleary Play Park	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Brownlow Hub	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Brownstown Community Centre	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Donacloney	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Drumilly Green	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Edenvilla Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Kernan Play Park	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Killicomaine Community Centre	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Kinnego Marina	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Lord Lurgan Park	Yes (on street)	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Lurgan Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Trampoline, Sensory Play Panels, Ramped Junior Unit, Wheelchair Swing, Sand Pit
Maghery Country Park	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Sandpit
Mahon Road Play Park			Basket Swing, Inclusive Roundabout, Harness Swing, Inclusive Panels
Malcomson Park, Magheralin	Yes (in estate)	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels
Oxford Island	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Trampolines, Sensory Play Panels, Accessible Tower Unit, Accessible Mounds, Accessible See-Saw, Communication Board
People’s Park	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Inclusive Diggers in Sand, Wheelchair Swing, Inclusive Panels, Sand
Rectory Park	No	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Dollingstown	No	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Taghnevan Estate	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels
Tannaghmore Gardens	Yes	Yes	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Trampoline, Sand Pit, Spinning Bowl
Waringstown	Yes	No	Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels

Pre Visit Guides

A number of pre visit guides have been developed with short descriptions to assist people visiting our venues. These have been designed for people with autism in mind but are helpful for anyone unfamiliar with the environment.

Community Centres

Ashgrove Community Centre
Avenue Road Community Centre
Brownlow Hub Community Centre
Brownstown Hub Community Centre
Dobbin Street Community Centre
Killicomaine Jubilee Community Centre
Mourneview Community Centre
North Lurgan Community Centre
Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre

Leisure Facilities

Banbridge Leisure Centre
Dromore Community Centre
Gilford Community Centre
Orchard Leisure Centre
Rathfriland Community Centre
Richhill Recreation Centre
South Lake Leisure Centre
Tandragee Recreation Centre

Tourism Venues

Armagh County Museum
The Market Place Theatre (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort – ASD Accessibility
FE McWilliam Gallery

Town Halls

Lurgan Town Hall
Portadown Town Hall

Virtual Tours

Craigavon Ski & Golf Centre
The Market Place Theatre (Austim Impact Award)

Poolpods

Poolpod A poolpod is a platform lift system transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility. It can be used by a wheelchair user or you can stand on the lift, so it is ideal if you find traditional pool steps difficult, e.g. if you are recovering from an injury or stroke, are pregnant or are older.

Poolpods are available in Banbridge Leisure Centre and in both the large pool and teaching pool in South Lake Leisure Centre.

Sensory pods

Sensory pods are available in 3 leisure facilities, including Banbridge Leisure Centre, Dromore Leisure Centre and Orchard Leisure Centre, to provide a calming and relaxing space, allowing personalised sensory regulation.

The pods include self-selected lighting colours and music / video content via speakers and a monitor.

Available for use by anyone visiting the centre who needs a quiet space, and in particular for children/young people with autism or other sensory processing needs.

To use the sensory pods, please contact a member of staff at reception in the centres.
South Lake Leisure Centre has a Sensory Room.

Radar Keys

We are a member national disability network Radar (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation). This means, that if you are disabled and living within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, you can get a Radar key to use in any of our Public Toilets. These keys also provide access to any public toilet in the UK that has been locked to protect it from vandalism or misuse.

Who can acquire a Radar key?

Anybody with a disability can get a Radar key.

Where can I get a Radar key?

You can get a Radar key from the following facilities:

Council Depot, Palace Reception, Armagh
Civic Building, Banbridge
Civic Centre, Craigavon

How long can I keep the key?

The key is yours for as long as you require it.

How much is a Radar key?

It costs £3.30 per key.

Contact
Tel: 0330 056 1020
Email:

Community Support Groups

We have a range of support groups who meet in community facilities across the borough to offer advice and support. Please feel free to contact the group directly, using the contact details below.

Brownlow Hub

Group	Nature of Group	Contact Details	Meeting Details
Downs & Proud	Speech classes to assist children with Down’s Syndrome with their speech.	Aine Beatty	Saturdays 10am-12pm (October to June only)
Head Injury Support	Supporting people with acquired brain injuries and providing social and recreational activities within the Newry, Armagh and Craigavon areas	07718489807 / 028 30833728	Wednesdays, 10:30am – 1pm
NI Chest Heart & Stroke	6 week post stroke physio led exercise and education programme, focusing on secondary prevention following a stroke.	Zoe Campbell 07870166496	Thursdays, 10:30am – 12:30pm
NI Chest Heart & Stroke	A group for people who have experienced chest, heart & stroke conditions. An opportunity to come together and share experiences and learn wellbeing information & techniques to enable you to live a healthier life.	Lynn McIlroy, 07989573173	Mondays, 10:30am – 12:30pm (first and third Mondays of each month)
ABC Autism Group	Support services for families affected by childhood Autism.	07732470766 https://www.facebook.com/abc.autism.s	Sundays (make contact for more information)
SHSCT – Pulmonary Rehabilitation	REFERRAL ONLY. The programme is only available through the NHS. The community Respiratory Team will triage and assess anyone who is referred to see if they are appropriate. Respiratory conditions will include COPD, Bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis. Session includes – 1 hour exercise, 1 hour education and advice on condition x 8 weeks.	Heidi Heasley SHSCT 028 37563168	Tuesdays, 9:30am – 11:30am
Orchard Women After Stroke	We promote looking on life as what we can do, not what we can’t. We meet, have coffee mornings, beauty treatments, day trips, cookery classes, craft and activity days but also information days from citizen advice, stroke association and pharmacy talk re medications.	Isabell Morrison 07889018244	Contact Isabell for further information

T MAC Centre, Keady

Group	Nature of Group	Contact Details	Meeting Details
Don’t Box Me In	This is an arts based All Inclusive opportunity for young people to interact and engage through the medium of arts regardless of ability. Age Range – 8 – 25 years old. Best way to find out more: https://www.facebook.com/	Kathryn Leyburn	4 hours weekly. For more information, contact the group.
Alzheimers Society			For more information, contact the group on the email address provided.
Huntingtons Disease NI		https://www.hdani.org.uk/cgi-bin/greeting?instanceID=1 Social Media contacts for more information: HDANI Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HDANorthernIreland/	For more information, contact the group using the website provided.

Group

Nature of Group

Contact Details

Meeting Details

Don’t Box Me In

This is an arts based All Inclusive opportunity for young people to interact and engage through the medium of arts regardless of ability.

Age Range – 8 – 25 years old.

Best way to find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/

Kathryn Leyburn

4 hours weekly. For more information, contact the group.

Alzheimers Society

For more information, contact the group on the email address provided.

Huntingtons Disease NI

https://www.hdani.org.uk/cgi-bin/greeting?instanceID=1

Social Media contacts for more information: HDANI Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HDANorthernIreland/

For more information, contact the group using the website provided.

Disability Employment Support

If you are living with a disability and would like the opportunity to boost your CV and chances of getting a job, you can apply for the Disability Employment Support programme. Participants will receive:

Free accredited training (including health and safety, mental health first aid, ‘world host’ customer service)
Work placement
Guaranteed job interview
Potential employment with a local company.

The programme will work around your current needs and ensure you are supported throughout.

For more information, please contact Carla at Stepping Stones on 07717738804 or email

Activities

Inclusive Swimming

Participants with a disability can swim for free at their own pace within a lane allocated solely for them for the entire session. A carer is permitted free entry into the same lane, only if the person with a disability requires assistance. Pre-booking is essential.

Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh continues to offers:

Free Disability swim sessions every Saturday from 3 – 4pm and Sunday from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.
Additional needs swim sessions in the small pool every Tuesday and Thursday from 7.15pm – 8.15pm.

Click here for more information.

Soft Play

Gulliver’s Soft Play at the Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh, offers quiet hours on Saturdays from 10am – 11am and on Sundays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

Click here for more information.

A child in lying in a soft play area surrounded by colourful small balls.

Inclusive Sport & Leisure Initiative

The Inclusive Sport & Leisure Initiative aims to deliver an inclusive sports and leisure programme designed to give disabled people living in the borough an equal opportunity to lead a fit and active lifestyle, through a partnership between Council and Disability Sport NI.

Inclusive Sports & Leisure Initiative

Inclusive Cycling

Inclusive Cycling Individuals and groups can access a range of inclusive bikes for use around Craigavon Lakes, including trikes, hand cycles, tandems (inline and side-by-side) and a wheelchair transporter. An induction will be provided and an instructor can be booked to lead the session.

Supported by Disability Sport NI, Department for Communities and Sport NI.

For more information, please email or call 077 6925 0885.

Get Out, Get Active

The Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme delivered in partnership with Live Active NI aims to provide inclusive physical activity opportunities for the least active people in our community and encourages people of all ages and abilities to become more active together.

For more information click here

All Out Trekking at Gosford Forest Park

All Out Trekking at Gosford Forest Park An inclusive outdoor experience for people to access the walking and mountain bike trails at Gosford Forest Park using four wheeled, battery powered buggies.

All Out Trekking continues every Thursday and Saturday until 28 September. Click here for more information!

Inclusive Events Guide

Event organisers must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The guide has information on how event organisers can make events accessible to visitors by making reasonable adjustments at venues.

Craigavon Ski & Golf Centre

Sit ski Sit skis and a hoist are available to enable people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users to access the slope.

Glamping at Gosford

Glamping pods at Gosford include a level access, widened door and large internal turning space, sleeping a maximum of four people. Facilities include a kettle, fridge, heater and picnic table. Visitors have access to the accessible toilet and shower room in the centre of the campsite. Guests need to bring their own bedding/pillows.

Glamping pods are available to book online here.