Tees Active recognises its responsibilities in providing services at our facilities which are available and accessible to all irrespective of physical, intellectual or sensory ability to participate in their chosen activity. In order to achieve this, Tees Active is constantly reviewing how to improve all forms of access to its facilities and services, and is striving to demonstrate best practice in the management of our facilities, in the services we provide and towards the people we employ.
All Tees Active operated venues are DDA compliant and as a service provider, Tees Active not only want to comply with relevant legislation, but also to go further in providing a top quality experience for all visitors. We will endeavour to ensure that anyone with a disability is not treated any less favourably, and that ‘reasonable adjustments’ are made where appropriate and possible through sensitive and creative solutions.
Whilst Tees Active employees are unable to provide individual lifting assistance we are able to provide a range of other services.
All of our venues are wheelchair friendly and have lifts to activity areas.
Our staff are trained and proud to be Dementia Friendly.
All of our venues offer accessible shower and changing facilities.
We have a number of staff who can sign. Please contact us before your visit to see if we can assist.
Carers can access our facilities for free when assisting or receive discount on activity prices when participating.
All venues have a hearing aid loop system installed.
Tees Active operates alongside Partner For Change to provide a completely accessible and compliant service for all of our customers. We have identified all of the sensory elements across our venues that will help you to plan your visit.
Depending on the nature of use and the areas visited, lighting in the centre is a mix of atmospheric, bright and natural light. However, we have the following lighting that may need to be considered:
Throughout the centre we have circulation/background music for customer comfort.
Fire Alarm Testing
Public Address System
All toilets and changing areas have hair and hand dryers which create noise – these tend to be just after the point of entry to each area.
Periodically throughout the day staff operate several noise generating cleaning machines throughout the centre.
Swimming Pool
In the Pool Hall, Ice Arena and all fitness rooms we have loud music for dance, skating and fitness classes.
In all accessible change rooms and nominated remote rooms we have emergency pull cords which sound at the main reception when activated.
The floors throughout the centre comprise of slate, tile, lino, carpet and rubber. Predominant colours are black, grey, cream and dark blue.
All lockers work with trolley tokens and £1.00 coins which are returnable. New pound coins are compatible with our lockers also.
GoClimb facility operate with the key only.
All lockers have wrist strap wrist bands.
Appropriate sportswear for the activity is required for each area.
Swimwear for pool. Fitness clothing for fitness classes. Ice Arena, warm clothing that allows natural movement of body. Gloves are recommend for warmth and spare socks in case your socks get wet when skating.
The pool has a number of different sessions available every day of the week. Have a look at the pool timetable on our website to make sure you pick the right session for you.
If you contact the centre we can let you know the best times to come as a family, when it’s busy and when it’s quiet for your preferred activity.
Events are listed on our website and automated phone message in a timely manner – at least 7 days’ notice. Where a closure is less than 7 days we reinforce this via our Facebook & Twitter feeds and internal notices.
Upon request, information on the most suitable sessions/times based on their individual needs can be given to the customer.
The centre has individual, group and village style changing and toilet facilities.
There are individual shower/toilet change facilities in all areas (dry, gym, ice, pool and sauna – and on the first and ground floors). We also have a Carers Change room that allows individuals to change in a comfortable space – this room includes a change hoist and bed.
Changing rooms and toilets smell of cleaning products, air fresheners where fitted and personal hygiene products.
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
We also have lockers with braille on.
Depending on the nature of use and the areas visited, lighting in the centre is a mix of atmospheric, bright and natural light.
However, we have the following lighting that may need to be considered:
Throughout the centre we have circulation/background music for customer comfort.
Fire Alarm Testing
Public Address System
All toilets and changing areas have hair and hand dryers which create noise – these tend to be just after the point of entry to each area.
Periodically throughout the day staff operate several noise generating cleaning machines throughout the centre.
In all accessible change rooms and nominated remote rooms we have emergency pull cords which sound at the main reception when activated.
In the Ice Arena the ice hockey referees blow their whistles during games and practices – and there is an electronic siren used to start/stop the games.
The floors throughout the centre comprise of slate, tile, lino, carpet and rubber. Predominant colours are black, grey, cream and dark blue.
All lockers work with trolley tokens and £1.00 coins which are returnable. New pound coins are compatible with our lockers also.
All lockers have wrist strap wrist bands.
In the Ice Arena, warm clothing that allows natural movement of body. Gloves are recommend for warmth and spare socks in case your socks get wet when skating.
Ice Arena
There is also no booking system for the Ice Arena. However, there is a timetable with a variety of sessions available every day of the week. The Ice Arena timetable can be viewed on the Ice Arena website.
If you contact the centre we can let you know the best times to come as a family, when it’s busy and when it’s quiet for your preferred activity.
Events are listed on our website and automated phone message in a timely manner – at least 7 days’ notice. Where a closure is less than 7 days we reinforce this via our Facebook & Twitter feeds and internal notices.
Upon request, information on the most suitable sessions/times based on their individual needs can be given to the customer.
The centre has individual, group and village style changing and toilet facilities.
There are individual shower/toilet change facilities in all areas (dry, gym, ice, pool and sauna – and on the first and ground floors). We also have a Carers Change room that allows individuals to change in a comfortable space – this room includes a change hoist and bed.
Changing rooms and toilets smell of cleaning products, air fresheners where fitted and personal hygiene products.
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
We also have lockers with braille on.
Depending on the nature of use and the areas visited, lighting in the centre is a mix of atmospheric, bright and natural light.
However, we have the following lighting that may need to be considered:
Throughout the centre we have circulation/background music for customer comfort.
All toilets and changing areas have hair and hand dryers which create noise – these tend to be just after the point of entry to each area.
Periodically throughout the day staff operate several noise generating cleaning machines throughout the centre.
In all accessible change rooms and nominated remote rooms we have emergency pull cords which sound at the main reception when activated.
The floors throughout the centre comprise of slate, tile, lino, carpet and rubber. Predominant colours are black, grey, cream and dark blue.
GoClimb facility operate with the key only.All lockers have wrist strap wrist bands.
Appropriate sportswear for the activity is required for each area.
GoClimb does have a booking system due to the limited number of people we can accommodate. The booking system can be accessed on the GoClimb website as well as our carers policy.
If you contact the centre we can let you know the best times to come as a family, when it’s busy and when it’s quiet for your preferred activity.
Events are listed on our website and automated phone message in a timely manner – at least 7 days’ notice. Where a closure is less than 7 days we reinforce this via our Facebook & Twitter feeds and internal notices.
We now run a ‘quiet climb’ session. These sessions are the perfect opportunity for children with Autism and other specific needs to enjoy our facilities in a quieter, calmer environment.
For more information please visit the website.
Pictures to follow
The centre has individual, group and village style changing and toilet facilities.
There are individual shower/toilet change facilities in all areas (dry, gym, ice, pool and sauna – and on the first and ground floors). We also have a Carers Change room that allows individuals to change in a comfortable space – this room includes a change hoist and bed.
Pictures to follow
Changing rooms and toilets smell of cleaning products, air fresheners where fitted and personal hygiene products.
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.We also have lockers with braille on.
Depending on the nature of use and the areas visited, lighting in the centre is a mix of atmospheric, bright and natural light. The lights are bright particularly in the main hall and bowling club where they are LED lights
The centre has a background music system that plays in all public areas, though this is not loud, the fitness gym has its own music system that can be quite loud. On a Thursday mornings we have a fire alarm test throughout the building which is communicated via the public address system. Both male and female toilet area have loud handriers installed
All our floors are brown wooden look floors, walls are mainly magnolia but some walls are a vibrant purple
Lockers are situated outside changing areas and are £1 coin return
Photo’sto follow
General sports clothing is suitable for all activities with Sports Shoes
Equipment for all activities can be hired from the centre
A membership system is offered which reduces prices for activities; a membership card is provided and needs to be handed to reception, a photo is taken for the card to confirm ownership. Bookings can be made in person, over the phone or by use of the internet. All monies must be paid at the time of booking.
Our quietest times are during the day 10.00 – 4.00pm and a Saturday afternoon
Group changing facilities are available, each containing toilets and showers plus a disabled changing room. The fitness suite has its own changing rooms plus a separate disabled changing facility.
The lighting in Reception is nice and bright with plenty of natural light. The Changing rooms and pool area are medium/low artificial light.
Periodically, we have soundings of the Fire Alarm – planned and unplanned. For planned soundings we make announcements to allow the customer to prepare.
The hand driers are moderately noisy and are situated in the female and female changing rooms near to the sinks, and the male, female and disabled toilets in the Reception area.
There is background music playing at a moderate level throughout the building most of the time, with the exception of school swimming, swimming lessons and club sessions.
The Lifeguards use whistles on duty to gain the attention of bathers during pool supervision.
On entrance, the walls in Reception are grey, changing to a very bright Aqua green throughout the changing rooms and the pool hall walls are brown brick.
On entrance the Reception flooring is blue laminate, and throughout the changing rooms and pool surround the floor is a yellow/beige tile.
The lockers require a 50 pence coin. The keys are obtained from a locker bank located in the reception area and are colour coded. Red – Female, Blue – Male and Yellow – Family.
Most of our sessions are pay as you go except pool parties which are pre-booked and paid for in advance. If you hold a leisure card membership you will need to bring your card and it will be swiped at Reception upon entry.
The changing rooms are separate Male and Females. Each have a large communal changing area with a bench, 2 individual cubicles (3 in the male) and a separate disabled changing room with its own shower and toilet. There is another disabled changing room situated on the poolside. We also have 4 large club rooms for use by groups such as schools or parties. There are also 2 family cubicles which have baby changing facilities.
There is a noticeable Chlorine smell when you enter the building, and once in the changing rooms you can smell the Air Freshener (usually an orangy fragrance).
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial
Generally the lighting throughout Splash is nice and bright with lots of natural light coming through the glass walls and skylights. The swimming pool Changing Village has a slightly lower level of lighting and the poolside again benefits from lots of natural light.
Throughout Splash you will be able to hear various sounds including various alarms and buzzers and even hand held radios.
The changing village has 3 hairdryers that are coin operated. These are near the entrance/ exit to the changing village and could be in use when you visit. The toilets also have hand dryers that may be in use.
We have a number of alarms and buzzers that you may hear when you are at Splash. You will hear a buzzer and an announcement when the waves are about to start. You will also hear a different buzzer and announcement when a coloured band is required to leave the pool. Splash has a Public Address system for general announcements and music is played throughout the building. If you are swimming when an Aquafit class is taking place you will hear louder music from the class and also the instructor giving instructions over a head-mic.
The lifeguards use whistles and hand held radios to communicate with each other and the public.
Fire Alarm Testing takes place periodically for planned soundings we make announcements to allow the customer to prepare.
The main entrance has blue vinyl flooring and light coloured walls. Most of the outside walls are glass.
The café serving area is mainly orange and the flooring is a light coloured vinyl.
Most areas throughout the building have vinyl flooring. The changing village has a dark tiled floor and the pool area has a light coloured tiled floor.
The lockers at Splash use an electronic wristband. We have 5 different colours and the band is also used to call swimmers out after they have had their allocated swim time.
Locker bands are allocated at reception. The bands are worn like a watch around your wrist. At the end of your swim, you can follow the footprint stickers on the floor to our band collection machine. Once you place the band into the machine, your deposit will be automatically dispensed.
Pictures to follow.
If you are swimming, you will need suitable swimwear that has been designed for swimming or pool based activities. If you want to wear something other than swimwear for example, a t-shirt to cover up; you need to discuss this with a Duty Manager before swimming.
Along with your swimwear, you will probably want a towel to get dry with after your sessions. You may also want to bring some goggles and maybe some shampoo / shower gel to use after your swim.
The pool has a number of different sessions available every day of the week. Have a look at the pool timetable on our website to make sure you pick the right session for you.
If you are coming to one of our Big Splash Swimtime sessions (for waves, flumes and water features) it is usually quite busy. There may be a queue a reception before you get into the changing area and usually they will be quite a lot of other customers in the changing village and the pool. The weekend sessions tend to be busier than the weekday – evening sessions.
The changing village has lots of individual cubicles for changing. There is also quite a few larger cubicles where families can change together. In the main section of our changing village, the cubicles are yellow. In the newer changing area the cubicles are blue.
Pictures to follow
You may be able to smell the typical ‘chlorine’ smell that you get at most swimming pools. It might not be as strong as in other pools because, at Splash we used UV lighting as part of our pool chemical management. You won’t be able to see this (it works underneath the pool – in the pool plant room).
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
IB benefits from natural light by design, glazed walls on the front, rear and side elevations. Internal lighting is warm white mood lighting which are sensor based throughout the building. Our studios have the option for bespoke disco lighting to create a high impact class atmosphere.
Throughout IB you will be able to hear various sounds including various alarms and buzzers and even hand held radios.
The changing village and dry change has a number hairdryers that are free of charge to use. These can be located near the entrance/ exit of the changing areas and could be in use when you visit. All toilets also have hand dryers that may be in use.
We have a number of alarms and buzzers that you may hear when you are at IB. You will hear a buzzer and announcement when in the swimming pool when a coloured band is required to leave the pool. IB has a Public Address system for general announcements and music is played throughout the building. If you are swimming when an Aquafit class is taking place you will hear louder music from the class and also the instructor giving instructions over a head-mic.
The lifeguards use whistles and hand held radios to communicate with each other and the public.
Assistance alarms maybe heard at reception area these are activated from our accessible changing, toilets and studios
Fire Alarm Testing takes place periodically for planned soundings we make announcements to allow the customer to prepare.
The main entrance has grey tiled floor, with grey vinyl flooring leading up to the first floor, all walls and light in colour. Most of the outside walls are glass.
The reception area is grey tiled, the Library area has grey carpet, the Activity room and changing village has light coloured vinyl floor, the stairs and first floor is a light grey vinyl. Our studio floors are beach coloured wood floors.
Lockers are £1.00 coin returnable and have a blue key band, which is worn around the wrist the band call out system has 5 different colours to call swimmers out after they have had their allocated swim time.
At the end of your swim, return you coloured band into the main reception.
If you are swimming, you will need suitable swimwear that has been designed for swimming or pool based activities. If you want to wear something other than swimwear for example, a t-shirt to cover up; you need to discuss this with a Duty Manager before swimming.
Along with your swimwear, you will probably want a towel to get dry with after your sessions. You may also want to bring some goggles and maybe some shampoo / shower gel to use after your swim.
The pool has a number of different sessions available every day of the week. Have a look at the pool timetable on our website to make sure you pick the right session for you.
The changing village has lots of individual cubicles for changing. There is also larger cubicles where families can change together.
Male/Female and Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor, the changing village and the Health Suite. All toilets have handwash/dry facilities and mirrors.
You may be able to smell the typical ‘chlorine’ smell that you get at most swimming pools. It might not be as strong as in other pools because, at Splash we used UV lighting as part of our pool chemical management. You won’t be able to see this (it works underneath the pool – in the pool plant room).
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
IB has two lifts that can take passengers to the first floor. Both lifts have automated voice instruction informing passengers that they have arrived safely to the level required.
The changing village has a bespoke accessible change which is bookable at reception this has shower area shower bed, discretion rail, height adjustable sink and hoist for customers to use.
Access to the both pools can be made via the pool pod (pic below) or by our manual pool chair.
The main public areas of the centre are lit by natural light with some strip lights and spot lights to help with illumination.
Within the main centre building it is generally quiet, apart from the coffee machine in the café and when the café itself is generally busy. There can be quite a bit of noise around the centre when we have groups on the water. All toilets and changing facilities have hand dryers.
The main centre is split over three floors, all floors are accessed by a set of central stairs and malls that are open to the elements, there is a large roof which looks a little bit like a marquis. The centre has a lot of glass throughout the café, reception and shop which is based on the 2nd floor of the building, both areas of the centre have light colour lino flooring. The main malls and stair in the building are dark wooden floors. To access this floor direct from the car park all visitors will have to walk along a bridge.
Several areas of the centre have light colour lino flooring. The main malls and stair in the building are dark wooden floors. To access this floor direct from the car park all visitors will have to walk along a bridge.
There are two types of lockers within the centre. The blue lockers require a 50p based on the malls. The yellow lockers which are based in the changing rooms require a 20p.
For all water based activities, participants will need to provide: swimming shorts/costume to wear under a wetsuit, shoes to get wet, towel and toiletries.
All safety equipment is provided by the centre.
For all water based activity bookings, these can be made in person at the centre or over the phone. All sessions have to be pre booked.
The centre usage can vary from day to day and will depend on what events and courses are booked. Any events are communicated via the website and social media at least 14 days in advance.
Only the main centre has changing rooms, we have both male and female changing rooms, which are based on the middle floor. There is an accessible changing room which is based on the ground floor which have toilet and showering facilities.
The White Water Centre and Air Trail are based on the River Tees and generally not affected by any particular smells.
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
Tees Active and Tees Barrage recognise its responsibilities in providing services at our facilities which are available and accessible to all and welcomes all disabled people irrespective of physical, intellectual or sensory ability to participate in their chosen activity. In order to achieve this, Tees Active is constantly reviewing how to improve all forms of access to its facilities and services, and is striving to demonstrate best practice in the management of our facilities, in the services we provide and towards the people we employ.
All Tees Active operated venues are DDA compliant and as a service provider, Tees Active not only want to comply with relevant legislation, but also to go further in providing a top quality experience for all visitors. We will endeavour to ensure that disabled people are not treated any less favourably, and that ‘reasonable adjustments’ are made where appropriate and possible through sensitive and creative solutions.
Whilst Tees Active employees are unable to provide individual lifting assistance we are able to provide a range of other services.
Air trail is an outdoor activity, there is no indoor area at the site, apart from a small covered area which has vending machines and lockers.
There can be a lot of noise around air trail site, due to the amount of participants, the rattle of equipment as participants move around, the staff also make a lot of noise when participants are called down from the structure.
All buildings are dark brick work covered with wooden cladding apart from a shipping container which contains all the equipment needed for Air Trail. The only internal space visitors to Air Trail are likely to experience are the toilet facilities which are a cream colour. Air trail has a mixture of different types of flooring from astroturf, tarmac and grass throughout the site.
Air trail has a mixture of different types of flooring from astroturf, tarmac and grass throughout the site. The structure itself is a mixture of wooden and iron beams.
Air Trail has lockers which require 50p. All lockers are refundable
Air trail we ask that all participants arrive dressed appropriate for the weather conditions, It can also be quite cold at the top of Air Trail. All participants will have to wear a full body harness and will be attached to the structure by two lanyards.
Air trail we ask that all participants arrive dressed appropriate for the weather conditions, It can also be quite cold at the top of Air Trail. All participants will have to wear a full body harness and will be attached to the structure by two lanyards.
Air trail has an online booking system. We have a carers policy, Carers go free, you can only book this option over the phone, please contact the centre on 01642 265454.
Air Trail is usually quiet first thing in the morning and gets busier throughout the day, during the summer Air trail is also open on a Wednesday evening, which would be a quiet time to visit.
There are no changing rooms at Air Trail.
Pictures to follow
The White Water Centre and Air Trail are based on the river Tees and generally not affected by any particular smells
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
We have a number of tailored sessions across our venues for visitors to enjoy. These sessions are designed to meet the specific needs of various user groups and aim to encourage and support everyone to enjoy the benefits of keeping active and having fun.
Ruth Benson – SNAPS
All of our fitness clubs are fully accessible by wheelchair users and have accessible toilet and shower facilities. Our friendly health advisors can also tailor a suitable exercise plan to incorporate equipment that can be quickly reconfigured to suit individual needs. Carers can accompany individuals in the gym and we will work with you to make sure you get the most from your experience with us. Please contact one of our venues and our team will be more than happy to discuss your requirements.
Extendable arms support bowlers who need to maintain a more upright position
We can provide access to a manually operated bowls wheelchair
An easy to use device to pick up and retrieve the bowls and jack
We can provide walking stick ferrules to prevent damage to the bowling green
We can provide bowls and the appropriate footwear needed to access the green
Thornaby Pavilion can be accessed via a gentle sloping wheelchair ramp
Find out more about how Tees Active are working with partners to drive positive change in the community.
