Colour Contrasted Carpets, Walls and Furniture, Adjustable Lighting, Accessible Equipment and Talking Toilets!

In January 2024, Jonathan Ward, Employment Manager, Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), Mary Cox, member of Southwest London Sight Loss Council and Jen Sweeney, Corporate Engagement Manager, TPT were invited to the newly refurbished offices ofPageGroup.

“We were delighted to be asked to assess the accessibility of the facilities at PageGroup’s new offices at 80 Strand.  This magnificent art deco building originally built for Shell-Mex & BP in 1932 is famous for the clock known as “Big Benzene” which has the largest clock face in the UK. We entered the grade II listed building through a large, gated archway and was met by front of house staff who promptly showed us to a very grand reception.  From here we were escorted to lifts to take us up to the 2^nd floor and the new UK head office for PageGroup.”

The visit enabled the PageGroup team to gain feedback from Mary and Jonathan, both having lived experience of sight loss.  Following the visit, a recommendations report was written and shared with our hosts, highlighting how to make the offices even more accessible for people who are blind and partially sighted.

TPT’s partnership with PageGroup supports people wanting to start, restart or progress their careers. The team at PageGroup work with candidates to match roles.  They also support the TPT Skill Share calendar of learning & development sessions for our Get Set Progress interns and students who are blind or partially sighted. This year Kim will be providing a learning session on ‘Breaking down barriers,’ and a recruitment day with some hands-on CV skills and mock interviews.

The tour of the offices demonstrated that the public space was bright, light and contemporary with tactile signage throughout.

Kim and John began in one of the modern meeting spaces where we learnt that all the meeting rooms have tactile and braille signage outside. The rooms feature adjustable lighting, accessible AV equipment and colour contrast carpets, walls and furniture.

 Jonathan said:

“It’s great to work alongside a company that’s so committed to being inclusive. It’s the positive attitude of the staff that makes you feel welcome and valued. The creation of a positive physical space is a fantastic bonus! I’m confident, that anyone visiting, working for, or alongside the PageGroup team will benefit from their inclusive and welcoming approach to business.”

 Mary had the opportunity to try one of three ‘talking toilets’ which orientate a person around the rest room using audio description. This was a great, accessible addition to the state-of-the-art facilities.

Mary commented:

“Forethought and appreciation of the needs of disabled people can make a refurbishment like this one.  Ensuring a practical environment that benefits everyone, as well as creating an attractive functioning space.”

Kim said:

“As an employee of PageGroup who uses a wheelchair for mobility I was delighted by the fitout of the new offices at 80 Strand. There were features I didn’t even know I wanted until they were made available, and this made me feel valued and included. I was therefore really proud to invite the evaluation team from Thomas Pocklington Trust to share the features of our inclusive workspace. It was a pleasure to host Jen, Jonathan and Mary for the afternoon, and to hear their thoughts on the features that worked well for people with sight loss. I very much look forward to welcoming the TPT interns in the future to support the Get Set Progress programme.”

For more information about our accessibility assessment service or to enquire about delivering a Skill Share session please contact jen.sweeney@pocklington.org.uk

For more information about our Get Set Progress Internship Programme please contact internships@pocklington.org.uk