This access information has been written by Anna, SSW Programme Producer, May 2026.
Intro
There is off-site accommodation (Rowantree Court) in a flat down the road from the main SSW site in Lumsden. It is around a 3 minute journey from the main site walking at a leisurely pace or around 1 minute in a car. There is parking for 1 car around the back of the flat, as well as on street parking on the main street.
The flat is on the first floor and there is no step-free entrance into the flat.
The flat has two double bedrooms, kitchen and shower room with toilet and basin. There is no communal living room.
Entrance
The flat is set back slightly from the main road and has a communal front garden with a garden bench. The garden is mostly grass lawn and has slab paved pathways leading to the front door. The garden has trees, hedges and some fencing but isn’t fully enclosed.
You can access the main door to the flat via Hanover Court, just off of the main street, through a wooden gate which is on a latch. There is also stepped and sloped access down to the flat next to 17 Main Street.
If arriving by car, there is a back door next to the car parking area directly behind the flat. Driving down Hanover Court from Main St, turning right and then first right onto the carpark. The back door takes you into the communal stairwell.
The stairs up to the first floor have handrails on either side.
The doors have a physical key to gain entry. The flat can be locked from the inside by a turning lock.
There is a buzzer intercom and a doorbell.
Flooring
There is wood effect laminate flooring throughout the flat, including the shower room. The shower room and kitchen flooring is slightly lower than the hallway and so there is a smooth lip joining the floors at the doorway to both of these rooms, less than 2cm in height.
There is green carpet in the communal stairwell leading up to the flat, with hard metal on the stair edges.
Lighting
The communal entrance and stairwell have lots of natural light and have mount lights on the wall which turn on as it gets dark. One of the lights is right beside the front door into the flat.
In bedroom 1 (the larger room) there is one ceiling pendant light with a shade that covers the bulb, a bedside lamp and a desk lamp.
In bedroom 2 (the smaller room) there is one ceiling pendant light with a metal dome shade, a bedside lamp and a desk lamp.
The kitchen, bathroom and hallway all have a bright, warm ceiling mount light.
Comfort
There is a standard sized double bed in each room with bedside table.
There is a wooden chair with a hard back and no arms in each bedroom beside the desk. Bedroom 1 has a sofa bed with cushions and a blanket.
The kitchen has two stools for use at the table, these can be swapped in for different seating, however the kitchen is small and space is limited.
Sensory Notes
Bedroom 1 has a slightly textured, grey feature wall with silver glittery specks, the other walls are neutral. The sofa bed is a bright orangey-red. Colourful, strong patterned blankets can be swapped for more neutral blankets.
Bedroom 2 has a patterned grey and beige feature wall with silver glittery specks, the other walls are neutral.
The shower room is partly tiled, partly wallpapered. It has large white tiles with white grout and grey slightly textured wallpaper with silver glittery specks.
The kitchen is painted a neutral colour with wooden cupboards. The hallway is painted a neutral colour.
The communal entrance to the flat has a slight musty smell.
Traffic from the road can be heard from the flat, including tractors and lorries. Birds and birdsong can be heard in the trees outside the flat. At least one of the neighbours in the block of flats has a dog, which can occasionally be heard barking.
Shower room
There is a shower room with a toilet, basin and a shower with a sliding glass door. The shower is approximately 15cm or 6 inches higher than the shower room floor.
There is a small circular, wall mounted mirror. Towels are not provided.
There is no grab bar in the shower which may be a barrier for some people.
Family & Guests
The larger bedroom has a sofa bed, the back can fold down to make a small double. A single mattress can also be added to the rooms for family/guests to stay.
A travel cot and high chair are available to use.
Practical Notes
There is a washing machine but no tumble dryer in the flat. There are foldable clothes drying racks in the storage cupboard and rotary washing lines outside the back of the flat by the car parking area
General waste and recycling bins are located outside the back of the flat.
First Aid Kit location
In the kitchen, above the microwave.
Health and Safety
Emergency phone numbers and fire action plan are located on a notice board in the flat hallway, by the front door. There is a fire blanket and carbon dioxide fire extinguisher in the kitchen and a foam fire extinguisher in the hallway.
