Access case study: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

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In 2024 Creative Medway supported a sector working group to develop a new Access Toolkit to support local venues and events makers. Since then, we have been catching up with some of the organisations who signed up to use the new toolkit to hear about how they are making accessibility a focus of their work. 

The Historic Dockyard Chatham
An access case study

Diversity has always been part of the Historic Dockyard story, but as our team reflected our 40-year history as a charity, we realised that not enough people saw the Historic Dockyard as a place for them.

Using the 40th anniversary as a catalyst, we set out to change this. Our ambition is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and connected to the collections and stories we preserve. We recognise this is a journey, but we have learnt how thoughtful interventions and initiatives can make a significant impact on visitor experience.

A journey of inclusion

In 2022, the Dockyard ran a series of conversations with targeted community focus groups, one of which focused on ‘access’. The conversation revealed the often challenging context for local disabled people. While the Dockyard was recognised for striving to be inclusive, these conversations helped us structure better access support programmes, including physical changes to galleries and additional support for those who need it most. This has also enabled the Dockyard to integrate the stories and experiences of disabled people into our programming.

Initiatives that make a difference

The Dockyard has implemented several measures aimed at enhancing accessibility across the historic estate:

• Specialised tours and programmes including British Sign Language and audio-described tours.
  
  
• Sensory friendly experiences, including relaxed opening afternoons and dedicated quiet sessions for those who benefit from a quieter and more controlled environment, and Sensory Support Backpacks for visitors with special educational needs.

“The staff were so nice, very relaxed and calming for my family. Every little detail was thought about, even down to the hand dryers being turned off in the bathrooms. It was the little things that added up to a wonderful experience. Thank you for being inclusive.
Visitor response

• Detailed access information developed in collaboration with AccessAble, allowing visitors to determine if our spaces are going to be accessible to them as well as information about our Changing Places facilities.
  
  
• In 2022, the Dockyard partnered with Screen South’s Accentuate Programme and the Curating for Change initiative, offering work placements for D/deaf and disabled curators in museums. The Collections team welcomed a Curating for Change Fellow and a diverse Disability Focus Group was formed to research disability history connected with Chatham. The outputs included a co-curated exhibition ‘On Shoulders Of Giants’ and a Disability Trailblazers Trail, highlighting objects and stories linked to disability history, giving voice to previously untold stories.
  
  
• A Dementia Café in collaboration with Medway Dementia Action Alliance and supported by Medway Sunlight Rotary, with additional collaborations with external partners like Kent Fire and Rescue, NHS and Bright Shadow. The café provides a relaxed and friendly environment for individuals experiencing memory loss and their carers to explore our history, collections and exhibitions.  All staff have completed Dementia Friends training.
  

• A staff training and awareness programme including continuous training on disability awareness that ensures that every staff member and volunteer can provide informed support and a welcoming atmosphere to all visitors, including British Sign Language, Dementia Friends, Autism Awareness, Unconscious Bias, and Sight Loss.

A commitment to continued accessibility

The Dockyard recognises we are on a journey with our accessibility programmes but much has been achieved in recent years.

This commitment to championing accessibility was recognised at the end of 2024 when the team received the prestigious Accessible and Inclusive Tourism GOLD Award at the Beautiful South Awards, presented annually by Tourism South East.

Moving forward, the Dockyard remains dedicated to breaking down barriers and enhancing its offerings. Plans include expanding sensory support within galleries, adapting access tours to better meet the needs of visitors, and further embedding disability awareness into staff training.

Find out more about The Historic Dockyard Chatham and our programmes here. Looking to make accessibility a focus of yours over the year ahead?  Check out the Creative Medway Access Toolkit for resources, checklists and guidance for where to start.