Accessibility
Welcome
Welcome to St. Thomas'. We are committed making everyone welcome and making sure they can participate in our services and activities, regardless of their physical or mental limitations. We believe that everyone is valued by God and has a place in our community and we strive to address any barriers that may hinder participation.
Getting to church
We have a small car park which is located between the Wade Community Centre (on the left of this photo) and Church/Church Hall (right). The Car Park has a level, tarmac surface, giving easy access to either building. The distance from farthest car parking space to Church is less than 40 metres. There is only one designated, disabled parking space but all the spaces give level access to all our buildings. There is also on street parking on a single yellow line - there are no parking restrictions on a Sunday.
First Potteries, Route No. 36, Hanley to Talke, operates on Sundays and stops right outside our Church.
First Bus Service No. 38, Hanley to Crewe, stops outside Kidsgrove Victoria Hall, on the A50, about 900 metres (roughly half a mile) from our Church. There is a short incline from the bus stop down to the junction with The Avenue but there are pedestrian crossings and dropped kerbs in Liverpool Road and The Avenue at the junction. There is level access along The Avenue, with two sets of dropped kerbs.
Also, D & G Bus services travel via The Avenue in Kidsgrove: Service 7 (Kidsgrove - Chell - Hanley): This service operates on Sundays and passes through The Avenue.
Service 1 (Silverdale - Newcastle - Longton - Meir): This service also operates on Sundays and passes through The Avenue.
It is advisable to check on the day of travel that none of these services have been re-routed, due to roadworks or accidents.
Access from outside:
Our main Church building has level access with dropped kerbs from the public pavement and also from the car park next door. The photo is taken from the right hand side of the buildings, facing the main entrance, showing level access for wheelchairs. This photo shows the Church, Church Hall (connected to the church building) with exterior ramp and the Wade Centre to the left of Church Hall.
Coming to a Service
Our building is very flexible with chairs that we can remove for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Just ask any of us if you need any help!
We have a Hearing Loop which works well throughout the church building.
Large print Bibles are placed in each row of seating - usually in the seats with arms.
All the songs we sing and prayers we say together are shown on a large screen at the front of Church (See below).
Accessible toilet facilities with baby changing facilities are available. Go up the steps or ramp at the rear of church, through the door into the church hall and turn left. (See below - the entrance door is on the left and the steps and ramp lead to the church hall through the door on the right.)
Our children's leaders have a few noise silencing headsets, if required. People can also sit in the Vestry at the left of the back of Church, or go into the Church Hall next to Church, if feeling overwhelmed. Please ask us if you would like someone to sit with you.
At the end of the service, the doors you came through will be closed and we leave church up the steps or ramp at the rear of church, through the door into the church hall where we serve refreshments. (See below for a picture of the church hall - the door from the church is on the left next too the book shelves, the exit straight in front, and the fire exit to the car park is on the right between the counter and sofa).
We leave the building through the front door of the church hall with this ramp for easy access, Alternatively you can exit through the fire door which gives level access to the car park.
Accessibility Co-ordinator:
Janice Joynson, 01782 771613, mobile 07528 472633 or email janice.joynson@gmail.com.
We would appreciate your feedback:
We are continuously evaluating and improving our accessibility practices to ensure everyone can fully participate in our Church Community.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions to further improve our accessibility to everyone. Please contact Janice if you have suggestions.
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.
This Accessibility Statement applies to St. Thomas' Church, The Avenue, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1AG.
April 2026.