Access for All

Countryways at Road Farm purchased accessories for mobility vehicles available for visitors (including care farming and special needs groups). In addition, improvements were made to the goat shelter, making it more accessible for visitors and to facilitate better interaction and farm education.

“Thank you so much for the support, we have designed our new goat area to enable people to interact with the goats without necessarily going into their pen, and ensured that this is also possible for those in wheelchairs”.

Wendy Gray, Countryways

Woodoakes Farm conducted an accessibility audit and purchased a new Tramper off-road mobility vehicle for volunteers and visitors. Further adaptions are planned 2024/25.

Photo: Sue Lacey

“It’s changed my volunteering experience to know that I can travel wherever I like on the farm. Before the Tramper arrived there were areas that I couldn’t access with my ordinary wheelchair, which meant I simply couldn’t take part in some of the volunteer tasks. Now that’s all changed, as I can now move around with the team and take part alongside everyone. I’m also really into my wildlife photography, so it gives me an advantage now that I can go up and down hills knowing that the Tramper does the job”.

Gary Armstrong, Woodoakes Farm volunteer

A new orientation map has been installed at Goring and Streatley railway station, highlighting routes around the village and its neighbouring countryside that are accessible to users with different mobility needs. Photo: GWR

“Goring and Streatley station is the most accessible and picturesque stop-off point for everyone to enjoy the Thames valley, including disabled people.”

John Boler, Chair of Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatly (MIGGS).

Find out more about Mend the Gap.

Funded a new changing table for the Changing Places toilet.

“I know anecdotally we are seeing more disabled visitors around site and, certainly, the disabled viewing area at our big events has been consistently full!”.

Gill Whitehead, COAM

Photo: Gill Whitehead

Funded habitat and species monitoring equipment for New Shoots and other young volunteers.

Photo: Nick Marriner

“It’s really important that young people get to use the industry standard kit to experience first-hand how to survey and monitor wildlife in the correct way.  It’s also great to see the awe and wonder on their faces when they use kit like hand lenses to see things from a whole new perspective  ̶  it inspires passion for our natural world and instils a sense of wonder that we hope stays with them forever”.

Steph Rogers, Senior Ranger, Chiltern Rangers.

Accessibility survey conducted to review accessibility aspirations for the site, including a disabled toilet, disabled parking and sensory planting.

Improvements and adaptations planned in 2024/25 – part of longer term vision for the site.

Additional path resurfacing between Little Tring and Drayton Beauchamp to improve accessibility on this key walking and leisure route connecting communities with countryside on their doorstep.

Photo: Fiona Skeggs

Chiltern Rangers CIC bought a seven-seat electric car and tools with their grant, with flexible seat configuration options. This will help them get 200-300 more volunteers each year into caring for nature reserves and habitats in the Chilterns, including young people with special needs, people with dementia, and those without their own transport.

“We can pick people up from central High Wycombe locations like the Rye Lido or the train station for Green Thursday volunteer group. Dozens of groups and schools will benefit.”

John Shaw, Managing Director

Home to around 1000 wildlife species, College Lake is a wonderful place to spot water birds, butterflies and orchids. BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) will purchase two new tramper mobility vehicles which can be borrowed by anyone visiting the reserve. The Trust also resurfaced 200m² of path and installed several new mobility scooter and buggy-friendly gates. The changes are improving the experience for visitors with limited mobility and likely to attract more people.

“We are so pleased to be making these upgrades which mean that more people than ever will be able to come and see what an extraordinary place College Lake is. At BBOWT, we believe that people need to see nature to be inspired by it and take action to help it – but spending time in nature is also good for our physical and mental health, so this project really is a win for everyone in our community.”

Mark Vallance, Buckinghamshire Land Manager

This fantastic rural museum has 37 historical buildings set in 45 acres of gardens. The museum already has all-terrain wheelchairs to borrow, sensory backpacks for autistic visitors, hearing loops and a popular programme of accompanied walks combatting social isolation. Their grant funded a much needed upgrade to their existing accessible toilet provision.

“We are very grateful for our Chilterns Access Grant.  The new accessible toilet facility will improve the visitor experience for our guests with impaired mobility and encourage others to come in the first place.” 

Gill Whitehead, Fundraising Officer

The Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve is England’s first national centre for specialised countryside access. They received a grant to buy state-of-the-art off-road mobility vehicles for rough terrain: a terrain hopper, a mountain trike, an e-trike and a Trekinetic wheelchair. They will provide training promoting the British Standard for Gates, Gaps and Stiles to parish councillors, rights of way volunteers, local highway staff, countryside managers and landowners. They will demonstrate the best standards of countryside access for people of all abilities, and how to use the many designs of gates on their “obstacle course” for off-road mobility vehicles.

“We are really excited to be able to use this fantastic new equipment to promote countryside access so everyone can enjoy nature.” 

Val Woods, National Land Access Centre Lead.

BUDS, Buckinghamshire Disability Service, carried out access surveys at four popular countryside sites — Whiteleaf Hill, Brush Hill, Aston Rowant Nature Reserve and Captain’s Wood — with a view to improving online access information about these sites and advising the site managers on future accessibility improvements.

The grant contributed to resurfacing a stretch of the Wendover canal towpath, providing greatly improved accessibility for local communities, especially those with limited mobility.