Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Feedback received at the Disability Stakeholder Engagement Events – November/December 2025

What you thought was working well:

• The wide range of heath and recreation activities offered such as snowtubing, inclusive cycling, wheelie boat, inclusive gym and craft activities
• The Mobile Accessible Toilet
• The friendly staff (South Lake and Banbridge Leisure Centres)
• The AccessAble initiative
• The council’s promotion of accessibility
• Improved accessibility at the new play parks.

What you thought Council could do better:

• Improve access to information on what activities/classes are available
• More family inclusive activities/swims
• Have more quiet hours before roller skating/soft play activities
• Address issues with disabled parking at South Lake Leisure Centre
• Promote AccessAble initiative with residents, community & voluntary sector.

As a result of engagements, we have:

• Improved the Inclusive ABC page and made it more user-friendly and easier to navigate
• Increased promotion of all inclusive programmes across social media channels
• Added extra quiet hour swim sessions in Banbridge, Orchard and South Lake Leisure Centres for up to 5 family members
• Increased the number of quiet soft play sessions
• Explored improvements to disability car parking at South Lake Leisure Centre
• Worked with the Communications and Branding Team to ensure there is greater promotion of the AccessAble initiative with residents, community & voluntary sector
• Engaged with the Southern Trust Autism Team to share some of Council’s programmes on their social media channels.

For more information on the disability stakeholder engagement events, please email:

Event organisers must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The guide has information on how event organisers can make events accessible to visitors by making reasonable adjustments at venues.

To find out more about inclusive events guides please email:

We work in partnership with AccessAble to provide accessibility information about our council facilities and a range of venues across the borough.

These detailed guides provide factual information and photographs to assist those with a disability to know in real terms how accessible a place or venue is prior to their visit.

To search for a venue or facility visit AccessAble.

A number of pre-visit guides have been developed with short descriptions to assist people visiting our venues. These guides have been designed for people with autism in mind but are also helpful for anyone unfamiliar with the environment.

Community Centres

Ashgrove Community Centre
Avenue Road Community Centre
Brownlow Hub Community Centre
Brownstown Hub Community Centre
Dobbin Street Community Centre
Killicomaine Jubilee Community Centre
Mourneview Community Centre
North Lurgan Community Centre
Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre

Leisure Facilities

Banbridge Leisure Centre
Dromore Community Centre
Gilford Community Centre
Orchard Leisure Centre
Rathfriland Community Centre
Richhill Recreation Centre
South Lake Leisure Centre
Tandragee Recreation Centre

Tourism Venues

Armagh County Museum
The Market Place Theatre (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort – ASD Accessibility
FE McWilliam Gallery

Town Halls

Lurgan Town Hall
Portadown Town Hall

Virtual Tours

Craigavon Ski & Golf Centre
The Market Place Theatre (Austim Impact Award)

JAM Card allows people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.

The JAM Card is a social innovation from the NOW Group, an organisation that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into employment.  It was their service users who said they would like a discreet way of telling people that sometimes they need a little extra time and patience.

Those with a communication barrier are often reluctant or unable to tell others about their condition. JAM Card allows this to happen in a simple, effective non-verbal manner.

The JAM Card was created first as a Credit Card sized card but has also been developed into an app for smartphones.

The card or app can be used to alert staff in leisure centres or community centres for example that the person needs a little bit of patience and understanding when interacting with you.

You can find out more about the JAM Card at www.jamcard.org and NOW Group at www.nowgroup.org

Experience a calming and welcoming environment with our Quiet Hour Swim sessions, designed especially for individuals with additional needs and their families. These sessions take place in the small pool with restricted numbers and offer a peaceful space to relax, unwind and build confidence in the water.

Each participant with additional needs must be accompanied by a carer and up to three additional family members are welcome to join the session.

Banbridge Leisure Centre

• Thursdays, 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Orchard Leisure Centre, Armagh

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6.15pm – 7.15pm

South Lake Leisure Centre

• Wednesdays, 6.30am – 7.30am
• Saturdays, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
• Sundays, 4.00pm – 5.00pm (please note: from Sunday 1 March, this time will change to 5.30pm – 6.30pm)

Costs

• FREE access for the individual with additional needs and their carer
• FREE entry for getactiveabc family & single members
• Standard admission charges apply for non-members

Please note: members can book 8 days in advance. Non-members can book 4 days in advance.

Click here for more information.

A poolpod is a platform lift system transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility. It can be used by a wheelchair user or you can stand on the lift, so it is ideal if you find traditional pool steps difficult, e.g. if you are recovering from an injury or stroke, are pregnant or are older.

Poolpods are available in Banbridge Leisure Centre and in both the large pool and teaching pool in South Lake Leisure Centre.

The Inclusive Sports and Leisure Initiative is a partnership programme between Disability Sport NI and council, established in 2012. It is the role of our Inclusive Sports and Leisure Officer, employed by Disability Sport NI through funding from council, to develop and sustain a programme of disability sports and physical recreation opportunities, which help improve the health and well-being of disabled people.

This programme is open to anyone with a disability and also offers support and training opportunities for mainstream schools and sports clubs to help make their programmes more inclusive of disabled people.

What’s on offer?

• South Lake Disability Sports Clubs: multi-sports and leisure club for disabled adults aged 19+.
• Wheelie Active Club: inclusive opportunity for children aged 4-12 years with a physical disability, to take part in a range of multi-sports along with sibling and/or friends. Access to sports wheelchairs also available.
• Autism and Sports programme: inclusive opportunity for children with Autism aged 7-12 years to develop their fundamental sports skills in an environment that suits their needs. Friends/siblings also welcome.
• Craigavon Boccia Club: a sports club for those aged 13 years and above with a physical disability, particularly those with Cerebral Palsy and/or other neurological conditions. There are opportunities to play in competitive NI league, as well as potential access to Paralympic pathways.
• Inclusive Gym programme: a support scheme to help disabled people access their local council gym. We provide initial induction as well as 1:1 support for up to 4 weeks, with the aim of helping clients to develop their confidence to continue using the gym independently.
• Inclusive Cycling programme: instructor led family/small group cycles using a range of inclusive bikes from South Lake Leisure Centre during the summer months.
• ABC Inclusive Summer Schemes: a range of sports and physical activity opportunities for disabled children aged 7-16 years along with siblings and friends.
• Inclusive Schools Competitions: special schools and schools with learning support centres can access inclusive sports competitions outside of school, including new age kurling and boccia.

For further information, please contact Colleen Connolly, Inclusive Sports & Leisure Officer by email: or call 07769250885.

Click here to read more the Inclusive Sports and Leisure Initiative.

Information coming soon!

Sensory pods are available in 3 leisure facilities, including Banbridge Leisure Centre, Dromore Leisure Centre and Orchard Leisure Centre, to provide a calming and relaxing space, allowing personalised sensory regulation.

The pods include self-selected lighting colours and music / video content via speakers and a monitor.

Available for use by anyone visiting the centre who needs a quiet space, and in particular for children/young people with autism or other sensory processing needs.

To use the sensory pods, please contact a member of staff at reception in the centres.
South Lake Leisure Centre has a Sensory Room.

Gulliver’s Soft Play at the Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh, offers quiet hours on Saturdays from 10am – 11am and on Sundays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

Click here for more information.

We have a range of support groups who meet in community facilities across the borough to offer advice and support. Please feel free to contact the group directly, using the contact details below.

Brownlow Hub

T MAC Centre, Keady

ABC LMP Disability Upskilling Programme

Are you currently employed but feel stuck in a role that doesn’t reflect your skills or potential? This programme is designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to advance their careers, increase their earning potential, or explore new opportunities.

Whether you’re aiming to progress within your current workplace or transition into a new role, we’ll provide one-to-one mentoring, to explore the right path for you.

Let’s take your career to the next level—together.

If you would like more information about this course, please contact:
Andrea Lupari

07525896803

We are a member of the National Disability Network Radar (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation). This means, that if you are disabled and living within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough, you can get a radar key to use in any of our public toilets. These keys also provide access to any public toilet in the UK that has been locked to protect it from vandalism or misuse.

Who can acquire a Radar key?

Anybody with a disability can get a radar key.

Where can I get a Radar key?

You can get a Radar key from the following facilities:

• Council Depot, Palace Reception, Armagh
• Civic Building, Banbridge
• Civic Centre, Craigavon

How long can I keep the key?

The key is yours for as long as you require it.

How much is a Radar key?

It costs £3.50 per key.

Contact 
For more information please call: 0330 056 1020 or email:

There are currently 8 Changing Places toilet within council facilities.

Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.  The toilets give disabled people and their carers the space and equipment they need to have the confidence to leave their homes and go out.

The dry side changing room was recently upgraded at Banbridge Leisure Centre, thanks to funding from Department for Communities. A portable hoist is available on request.

The Mobile Accessible Toilet is a fantastic facility for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments. Key features of the unit include:

• Adjustable ramp
• Overhead hoist system
• Height-adjustable bench
• Peninsular toilet
• Dropdown rails
• Vertical grab rails
• Wide paper roll dispenser
• Full-length mirror
• Paper towel dispenser
• General waste bin
• Sanitary bin
• Coat hooks
• Colostomy bag shelf

The Mobile Accessible Toilet is funded by the Department for Communities.

Upcoming events

Home of St Patrick Festival, Armagh

The mobile accessible toilet will be located in Market Street, Armagh for the St. Patrick’s Open Air Concert with The Tumbling Paddies & Guests on Monday 16 March, 6:30pm – 9:30pm.

Discounted membership for carers is available across the council’s getactiveabc leisure facilities.

Eligible caregivers can receive 20% discount to normal membership fees providing access to gym, swimming pools, classes in all centres, watersports and footgolf at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre!

The getactiveabc carers card is open to any ABC borough carer of an adult or child who uses the Southern Trust’s Learning Disability and Fostering services.

To find out more on the getactiveabc carers membership, please email Bernie Marshall or Majella Gorman from the SHSCT

Individuals and groups can access a range of inclusive bikes for use around Craigavon Lakes, including trikes, hand cycles, tandems (inline and side-by-side) and a wheelchair transporter.  An induction will be provided and an instructor can be booked to lead the session.

This initiative is supported by Disability Sport NI and the Department for Communities and Sport NI.

For more information, please contact Colleen Connolly by email  or call 077 6925 0885.

Everyone can paddle! South Lake Inclusive Paddlers Club welcomes people with a range of disabilities, medical conditions and health challenges to enjoy a paddleboarding experience in a safe, supportive environment. Our experienced watersports instructors provide guidance, supervision and adaptive support to ensure everyone can get on the water with confidence.

Inclusive sessions are suitable for ages 10 years+.

For more information and to discuss your specific needs, please contact Mark Cahoon or visit www.getactiveabc.com/activities/watersports

The Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme delivered in partnership with Live Active NI aims to provide inclusive physical activity opportunities for the least active people in our community and encourages people of all ages and abilities to become more active together.

Click here for more information.

An inclusive outdoor experience for people to access the walking and mountain bike trails at Gosford Forest Park using four wheeled, battery powered buggies.

Details on All Out Trekking 2026 coming soon!

Sit skis and a hoist are available to enable people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users to access the slope.

Glamping pods at Gosford include a level access, widened door and large internal turning space, sleeping a maximum of four people. Facilities include a kettle, fridge, heater and picnic table. Visitors have access to the accessible toilet and shower room in the centre of the campsite.  Guests need to bring their own bedding/pillows.

Glamping pods are available to book online here.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
Inclusive Play Park Equipment

Armagh Area

Banbridge Area

Craigavon Area