Accessibility

The SSW access* information was written by Laura Lulika and updated in February 2026, following visits in December 2025 and in June 2023.

Information about each of our spaces can be found in the navigation menu on the right.

Introduction from Laura Lulika

I have conducted an accessibility report for the whole of the SSW site over two visits. The first was in June 2023 when I audited the on-site upstairs accommodation, the sauna, the shared artists’ studio, the Wellbeing Room, Community Making Space and the ceramics workshop. 

The second most recent visit was in December 2025 and during this trip I audited the on-site level-access Bothy accommodation, the Bothy kitchen and communal space, the metal workshop, the stonecarving workshop, the plaster room and I have added an update to the ceramics workshop. 

The wood workshop is closed and awaiting refurbishment in the future.

This was my third visit to the SSW site. I have attended previously with my family, young child and a Personal Care Assistant and on my most recent visit I attended with a Personal Care Assistant only. I have stayed in both of the on-site accommodation options during my last two visits. 

On my most recent visit, I worked with my care support PA, Herfa Thompson, who is an artist and sculptor, to be inducted into the processes available at SSW. The purpose of this was to identify any access barriers in relation to the processes and gauge how strenuous they are. I have included information about this in these access documents where appropriate and the information we collected has also fed into the access and safety questionnaire artists will receive before visiting. The experience of these processes will of course be different for everyone but I hope that having more information about them will support artists in planning their activity, energy, breaks and recovery time while at SSW. 

Note on images: I sometimes use a wide-angle setting on my phone camera to be able to fit as much information in one image when it’s helpful, but it will distort the dimensions of spaces and objects slightly and won’t be an accurate representation of dimensions.

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*We understand ‘access’ to be what you need to be able to participate at SSW comfortably and safely. These needs may be physical, for example different heights of workstations or access to quiet space. They may be cultural, for example connections with different groups or organisations in the area, or space for worship. Needs may include communication requirements (email, text, phone), translated documents or space for your family (bio/chosen), an ally, support worker or travel buddy to stay. These are just a few examples, and we encourage you to get in touch before you apply, to discuss what we can put in place to support your participation in residency.

We welcome access riders and/or informal conversations about what you need to work and live comfortably on site at SSW.

We welcome feedback on this information and will work with Laura to review its contents and formatting.

Email your access questions, access riders and any feedback to Programme Producer Anna at arts@ssw.org.uk.