Accessibility at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre

Yorkshire Cancer Research is committed to making the centre a fantastic place to visit and we want to ensure everybody has a positive experience. We have taken different needs into consideration when designing the centre and hope the adjustments outlined below means that your visit is as easy and comfortable as possible.

If you have any suggestions on further adjustments, please let us know at hq@ycr.org.uk and we will take this into consideration.

Our welcome team will be the first people you will meet when visiting the centre. They will be in the entrance foyer and will be available to speak to if you have any questions or would like directions. You will recognise the welcome team and all charity staff as they will be wearing Yorkshire Cancer Research name badges.

You can approach any member of staff for help – they will be happy to help you. The charity offers an inclusive space with staff who are responsive to the diverse needs of visitors.

We are working to become a dementia friendly organisation and our friendly staff are all trained in dementia awareness. You can identify those who are trained in dementia awareness as they will be wearing the blue forget me not flower on their lanyard and can be approached for any help you might need.

The centre has been designed with people living with dementia in mind and has key features to make your visit as welcoming and easy as possible.

There are ample clearly marked accessible parking bays located to front of the main entrance. From the accessible parking spaces there is firm and level access to the front doors of the building.

The building doors can be opened to 90 degrees where they will then hold open.

The exercise studios, consultation rooms, café and charity shop are all located on the ground floor. The staff offices are based on the first floor.

The ground floor provides suitable door widths and firm and level access to all customer and service user areas for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking aids, with only a small DDA compliant ramp providing access to the changing and shower area for service users and staff. There is also a platform lift in the building, should any visitor require access to the first floor.

There are changing rooms and showers for use by Active Together members, with the necessary facilities to make this is as practical as possible. The changing rooms and showers are separated into male, female, and gender-neutral spaces with the following facilities:

• The ground floor facilities include an accessible WC with baby changing unit and an ambulant WC along the corridor next to the Welcome area.
• The changing area provides an accessible shower and WC as well as an ambulant WC, all facilities are fitted with a red pull cord alarm system. The first floor also offers an ambulant toilet as well as 2 other toilets.
• Individual enclosed changing cubicles (they have a door with a lock).
• Each cubicle has a coat hook.
• The showers are in enclosed rooms with space to get changed ensuring total privacy. All showers have a seat and a lock.
• The changing room area has benches in the communal areas.

Breastfeeding is welcome at the centre and the quiet room can be used if you prefer a private space for this.

There are baby changing facilities available on the ground floor.

There are hearing loops present at the main reception, shop counter and café counter. All three devices offer a transmission range of 1.5 metres and a sensitivity rating of 60dB. Hearing aids should be switched to the ‘T’ position in order to take full advantage of the hearing loops.

During your visit to our centre, you might want to utilise our quiet room space. This area open to all using the centre at any time, it is a comfortable room that can be used for any purpose including, breastfeeding, quiet reflection, contemplation or prayer.

Directions to the quiet room: Upon entering the building from the main entrance, access can be found via the corridor to your right, keep walking towards the end of the walkway and you will find the quiet room on the left, just before the lift. Labelled clearly on the door – occupied slider?

The space is open during normal centre opening hours.

During your visit a range of chairs, sofas and seating options are available to you, if you would prefer armrests, wider seats or chairs with a higher back, please let one of our friendly team know and we will be able to assist you on the day or indeed give us a call in advance to discuss your needs.

We welcome assistance animals in all areas of our buildings. Dogs are also welcome in our café and shop but must be kept on leads at all times, please be aware of this if you intend to visit and speak to a member of our friendly team if you have any concerns.

Please note the building is wheelchair accessible, however we do not provide wheelchairs.

You can be assured that when eating and drinking with us that we are taking much care and attention to ensure we are working towards creating a healthy food environment.

Allergy information will be displayed.

You can be rest assured that when eating and drinking with us that we will have allergy information available for all of our products and our friendly team will be able to advice and guide you should you need any further information.


Dietary Requirements.

Each day we will have a number of products available to suit you and your dietary needs, should you need adaptations or variations from the menus, our team can assist and guide you through the most appropriate options available to you.

Café design.

Our café offers a counter service where you are welcome to select a table and seating option of your choice upon ordering your food and drinks, if ordering hot food you will be given a number and a member of the team will bring this out to you. All tables are the same height and there is a variety of seating for comfort as well as adapted cutlery and crockery that you are welcome to use, one of our friendly team will be available to assist as required.

Cafe cutlery and crockery

• Upon request, the café can provide customers with:
• Large handled cutlery
• Scoop plate with suction cup
• Scoop bowl with suction cup
• Drinking cups with easy grip handles and anti-splash spout and travel lid