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Delight at Hadleigh Park and Farm as sensory award opens up their facilities to more people

Hadleigh Park, the former Olympic mountain bike venue, now a family friendly leisure park, and Hadleigh Farm are celebrating as the facility becomes the first leisure space in Essex to be awarded the ECL Sensory Charter Mark. At an event on today (10 November) members of the public, staff and volunteers gathered to hear of the award, and to take part in activities on site.

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Hadleigh Park and Farm has won the ECL Sensory Award in Essex
From left to right; Robert Anderson (Hadleigh Park manager), Faye Gatenby (Head of Sensory Services) & Ciaran Egan (Operations Manager)

The Charter Mark signifies to those with sight and hearing impairments that the park and its leisure facilities are accessible to them. Launched last year, the teams at Hadleigh were keen to achieve the award to further improve their accessibility and open up the park and farm to more visitors.

Hadleigh Park and Farm, the first leisure place for the award

They commissioned a sensory audit, and working with ECL Sensory Service worked with staff and volunteers with sight, hearing and dual sensory loss to assess buildings, pathways and other facilities. The recommendation report included improving acoustics and large print menus in the café, hearing loop systems on counters and training for staff on Lived Experience Sensory Awareness, all of which have been implemented.

We are delighted to receive the Sensory Access Charter Mark and be the first leisure space in Essex to do so. Physical activity and sport are important for everyone's physical and mental health and that is why we hope the Charter will encourage people from the sensory community to visit the Hadleigh Park.

Robert Anderson, Manager, Hadleigh Park

This is part of the broader Active Essex vision to change one million lives and get the county active no matter their age or ability.

We are delighted to award the Sensory Charter Mark to Hadleigh Park and Hadleigh Farm. Their commitment to making the park accessible to as many people as possible is inspiring and is evidenced in the work and training they've undertaken. They are also working to support other parks and organisations by sharing their experience with others who are also looking to become more accessible to those with sensory impairments. We look forward to continuing to work with Ciaran, Robert and their teams, and hope this award will encourage more people to visit Hadleigh Farm and Hadleigh Park.

Faye Gatenby, Head of Sensory Services, ECL

For our facilities to be recognised as accessible community spaces is a great achievement. Throughout our history here in Hadleigh, The Salvation Army has been committed to making community life more inclusive. We hope the improvements we have made will mean even more people can enjoy Hadleigh Farm and Hadleigh Park.

Ciaran Egan, The Salvation Army's operations manager for the estate

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