as researched and explored by Sisters of Frida

 

This report was written as a guidance for accessible venues in London as researched and explored by Sisters of Frida and funded by the GLA.

 

Click here to read our report as a Word Document Accessible venues in London as explored by Sisters of Frida

Click here to read our report as a PDF Accessible venues in London as explored by Sisters of Frida

 

Contents

–What makes a venue accessible?

–Search for accessible venues in London

–South London

–North London

–East London

–West London

 

 

What makes a venue accessible?

 

4 key considerations

 

01) Getting there
(Infographic description: Image of a black woman wearing a headscarf. She is sitting on the floor, there is a white cane next to her and she is holding a cup.) Are there good links to buses, trains, and tubes? Are the closest stations accessible? Are there accessible (Blue Badge) parking spaces nearby?

 

02) The physical space
(Infographic description: Image of woman of colour wearing trousers on a manual
wheelchair) Does the venue have a Changing Places toilet? Is there good ventilation for the COVID-vulnerable? Natural light? Appropriate noise levels?

 

03) Support persons
(Infographic description: Image of two women facing each other. They are signing.)
Will BSL interpreters be present? Have you factored in the need for PAs? Have you ensured that the venue will NOT refuse assistance animals like guide dogs (which is common though illegal)?

 

04) Intersectionality
(Infographic description: Image of three people. There is a black woman in the centre. She is being embraced by the other two women of colour.) Disabled persons have a lot more to their identity than just their disability. Are you catering for all participants’ dietary requirements? Varying socioeconomic backgrounds? Are you making culturally competent decisions?

 

N.B Always include disabled participants in the conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask
what someone needs!

 

 

Search for accessible venues in London

 

As part of the Socials for Disabled Women project, our goal was to identify accessible venues in London that meet certain accessibility criteria and budget requirements (see infographic above).

 

The search was conducted in 2024–25 with support from GLA funding. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we aim to continue adding more accessible venues to the Sisters of Frida website. The process took longer than anticipated, and we have tried to be as accurate as possible, but not all venues have been personally accessed. Venues that presented potential accessibility challenges were not included. We have also added some community spaces for minority groups.

 

Currently, there is no single comprehensive guide for accessible venues in London, making this search a significant task. We began with online research but relied heavily on local knowledge, including contributions from participants. For example, locating Changing Places toilets proved challenging- they are not always listed online but are vital for those who need them.

 

The Meetings and Events Accessibility Guide may also be a useful resource.

 

To ensure events are accessible for immunocompromised attendees and safe for everyone, we recommend:

 

● Providing masks and requiring them when attendees are not eating or
drinking.

 

● Offering a choice between FFP2 masks and lip-reading masks in the main
event space.

 

● Providing food in a separate space if attendees remove masks to eat.

 

● Ensuring outdoor spaces are available and accessible when possible.

 

● Honouring mask exemptions.

 

● Providing a medical-grade HEPA air purifier onsite, which can be borrowed if
needed.

 

Venue costs can be a significant limitation. Some of the most accessible venues are not affordable for small grassroots collectives like Sisters of Frida.

 

 

The List

 

South London

 

Woolwich Works- The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18
6HD. 020 8035 8835. hello@woolwich.works

Woolwich Works is a multi-disciplinary cultural hub located on the historic Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, offering a wide range of artistic programming and community venue hire rates for local groups and organisations.

 

01) Getting there.
Woolwich Works is well connected via public transport. Woolwich Station on the Elizabeth Line provides step-free access, and the DLR also serves the area with step-free entry. Multiple buses stop near The Arsenal, including routes 129, 177, 180, 472, and 486. Pavements in the immediate area are mostly level. For those arriving by car, Blue Badge parking is available nearby, though spaces may be limited.

 

02) The Physical space
The venue is fully accessible, with level access throughout the building and lifts to all floors. It features two accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. Entrances, doorways, and corridors are wide enough for wheelchair and powerchair users. Hearing loops are available in performance and meeting spaces, and BSL support can be arranged. Staff can facilitate sensory-friendly visits for visitors who benefit from quieter or low-stimulation environments. Accessible seating and viewing areas are provided in performance spaces.

 

 

Woolwich front room- 105 Powis St, London SE18 6JB. 020 4524 2685.
woolwichfrontroom@gcda.org.uk

Woolwich Front room is a community space and cafe with multiple rooms to hire.

 

01) Getting there.
Woolwich Arsenal station, which has step-free access via National Rail and the DLR and is about a 3–5 minute level walk via General Gordon Square and Wellington Street to Powis Street; Woolwich Elizabeth line station is also step-free and around a 5-minute walk away. Numerous London bus routes stop nearby at Woolwich Arsenal or General Gordon Square, including 51, 53, 54, 96, 99, 122, 161, 177, 178, 180, 244, 291, 380, 386, 422, 469 and 472. A taxi rank is available at Woolwich Arsenal station for closer drop-off if needed.

 

02) The Physical Space.
A ground-floor community space and café with step-free access from the street. An accessible toilet on site but no Changing Places Toilet, the nearest is at Woolwich Works, a 10 minute walk. The main public areas, including The Lounge and The Workshop, are fully accessible and commonly used for meetings, activities, and events, while upstairs rooms such as The Study and Attic are not wheelchair accessible as they can only be reached by stairs and there is no lift.

 

 

Greenwich GMV Community Centre- Block 203, 2 Oswald Gardens, London SE10
0SH. 020 8075 5242. Info@gmvcommunitycentre.org.uk

This centre is managed by London Development Trust, and offers four versatile spaces suitable for a variety of community activities.

 

01) Getting there.
The nearest Tube is North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line. The centre is also accessible by cable car, bus, or river boat. Transport links can get busy, particularly during events at the nearby O2 Arena. Blue Badge parking is available next to the O2 or at the large car park serving IKEA, B&Q, Burger King, and Nando’s, with free parking for up to 5 hours just across the road. The nearest bus stop is Millennium Village South, two stops from North Greenwich station, served by most buses from the station. The centre sits at the corner of Oswald Street and Rennie Street, with a children’s playground outside. Next to a concierge area. There is no on-site parking, and short-stay parking on Rennie Street requires a permit via the concierge.

 

02) The Physical space
The centre has level access, with an entrance and lift next to the Peartree Way concierge. Rooms are well-lit, spacious, and airy, and an accessible kitchen is available for hire. For BSL interpreters, note that some rooms may be slightly echoey. A single lift to the facilities. There is an accessible loo but no Changing Places Toilet, see here for details.

 

 

Deptford Lounge- 9 Giffin St, London SE8 4RJ. 020 8314 7299. deptfordloungedm@thealbany.org.uk

Deptford Lounge is a purpose-built community hub offering a wide range of services and facilities for local residents. The venue is managed in partnership with The Albany, South East London’s leading arts centre, and Lewisham Council, which helps develop its community programmes.

 

01) Getting there.
The closest car park is Frankham Street, with seven accessible bays, 85m from the entrance. Additional parking is available at Deptford Market, Deptford High Street, and Wavelengths. Taxi drop-offs can be made on Giffin Street, directly next to the Lounge. The nearest stations are Deptford (150m, step-free rail) and New Cross (650m, rail and Overground). Multiple bus routes and a nearby DLR link also serve the area.

 

02) The Physical space
The building has level access, accessible toilets (including a Changing Places facility), and shower facilities. The Library and Café are on the ground floor, along with two meeting rooms. Lifts provide access to the first and second floors, serving the meeting rooms, main hall, studios, music rooms, food science room, terrace room, and ball court. Induction loops are available in all meeting rooms (hearing aids should be set to the ‘T’ position). In an emergency, a continuous alarm sounds and red ceiling lights flash. Refuge areas with an Emergency Voice Communication System and Evacuation Chairs are provided on all floors.

 

 

Woolwich Centre Library- 35 Wellington St, London SE18 6HQ. 020 3872 0099. greenwich.libraries@gll.org

Woolwich Centre Library is part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich administration centre. Staff are helpful, and we have not been charged for using the venue.

 

01) Getting there.
The nearest stations are Woolwich Arsenal (rail and DLR, step-free), with multiple buses stopping within 150 m. Blue Badge and on-street accessible parking is available nearby, and some visitors use the Tesco supermarket parking adjacent to the library. Step-free access is available via the Love Lane entrance (automatic doors and small thresholds) or the lift from the main Woolwich Centre building.

 

02) The Physical space
The library has a few small meeting rooms but can support events in collaboration. It has level, step-free access throughout, including reception, reading areas, and computer stations. Accessible computers, large-print and audio book formats, and baby-changing facilities are provided. A Changing Places toilet is available upstairs at the Woolwich Centre, and additional accessible toilets can be accessed with a Radar key. While there is no dedicated hearing loop, staff can assist with accessibility needs, and documents can be supplied in large-print or Braille.

 

 

North London

 

The Greenwood Centre- 37 Greenwood Pl, London NW5 1LB. 020 7974 6051.
greenwoodplace@camden.gov.uk

The Greenwood Centre is a purpose‑built, fully accessible community support and independent living hub in Camden. It opened in 2019 and houses Camden’s first Centre for Independent Living, which is run by and for disabled people and local voluntary organisations led by Camden Disability Action.

 

01) Getting there
Gospel Oak Overground Station is a 15-minute walk with step-free access. There are no nearby accessible Underground stations. Buses include 214 and 88, which stop directly at “Greenwood Centre” with onboard announcements in both directions. Route 134 stops at “Kentish Town Station” toward Archway and at “Fortess Walk” toward Camden Town. Blue Badge parking is available with three public spaces outside the centre on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

02) Physical Space
The centre offers step-free access throughout, lifts to all floors, several accessible toilets, and hearing loop facilities. Meeting rooms and flexible spaces accommodate small and large events, including a conference room and café, all designed inclusively. The centre also features a large Changing Places toilet, and ground-floor day services for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

 

 

The Museum of Homelessness- Seven Sisters Road, London, N4 2DE.
mail@museumofhomelessness.org

The Museum of Homelessness is a social history museum created with and by people with lived experience of homelessness. It preserves personal stories, runs exhibitions, community activities, and campaigns to challenge stereotypes and influence policy around homelessness.

 

01) Getting there
The most accessible route to the Museum of Homelessness at Manor House Lodge is via Finsbury Park Tube station, which has step-free access, or by taking a bus to Manor House Station (Stop D), serviced by routes 253, 254, 259, N253, and N279. From either point, you enter Finsbury Park through the Manor House Gate, and the museum is located just inside, with level access suitable for wheelchairs and powerchairs. If arriving by car, the Endymion Road entrance is recommended for drop-off.

 

02) Physical Space
The Museum of Homelessness has both indoor and outdoor spaces suitable for wheelchair and powerchair users, level access on the ground floor, and an accessible toilet. The museum also provides a quiet room for visitors who may need a calm space. For sensory and communication accessibility, they offer creative captioning, audio interpretation for key art pieces on request, and BSL support if arranged in advance. All rooms are equipped with HEPA-grade air filters, and the museum takes a trauma-aware approach, with staff and events designed to support visitors’ wellbeing. As it’s located in the corner of Finsbury park, it’s good for warmer weather.

 

 

The Wellcome Collection- 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE. 020 7611 2222.
venuehire@wellcomecollection.org

The Wellcome Collection in London is a free museum and library exploring health, medicine, and the human experience. It combines historical and contemporary exhibitions with rare medical objects, artworks, and manuscripts. The venue also offers a library, café, bookshop, and public events to inspire curiosity about science and society.

 

01) Getting there.
The nearest fully step-free train and Tube station is St Pancras International, from which there is a short, level walk along Euston Road. Euston Square also offers partial step-free access, while other nearby stations may have limited accessibility. Several bus routes stop close to the entrance, including the 18, 30, 73, 205, and 390. London black cabs can drop visitors directly outside the building, and limited Blue Badge parking is available.

 

02) The Physical space
The Wellcome Collection has step-free access throughout, with ramps and lifts providing access to all public floors, including galleries, the library, café, and shop. However, to get from street level to level 0, there is a platform lift. There’s a Changing Places toilet on level ‘0’ in addition to accessible toilets on every floor of the building. Seating is placed regularly across gallery spaces to allow visitors to rest. They welcome assistance dogs and offer wheelchairs for visitor use. There are quiet spaces, sensory maps, and clear visual signage to support easier navigation around the building. Information is provided in alternative formats, and exhibitions often include large-print text, subtitles on audiovisual content, and tactile or interactive elements. The Burroughs Room does not have natural light (no windows). It can be expensive to hire.

 

 

Kabannas London St Pancras (previously YHA)- 79-81 Euston Rd., London NW1 2QE. 020 7388 9998

Kabannas London St Pancras is a hotel located close to Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations. Kabannas has two meeting rooms. It also has hostel facilities. For central London, the hire price is reasonable. They are currently closed for a full refurbishment.

 

01) Getting there
Kabannas London St Pancras (formerly YHA) is easily reachable via step-free access from King’s Cross St Pancras station. From there, it’s a short, level walk along Euston Road (about 5–7 minutes). Several buses stop nearby, including routes 10, 17, 30, 45, 46, 73, 205, and 214, with ramps available on request. Accessible taxis and black cabs can also drop off directly outside the hostel.

 

02) The Physical space
The meeting rooms are located upstairs. There are two lifts (not big) and doors are not easy to manage alone. The accessible toilet is next to the stair ramp on the way up. Two meeting rooms, one is bigger than the other – there is natural light. The closest Changing Places toilet is located at Kings Cross.

 

 

Friend’s House- 173-177 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BJ. 020 7663 1000. events@quaker.org.uk

Friends House, serves as the central offices of Quakers in Britain, worship, meetings, and community activities. Built in the 1920s, it also functions as a conference and event centre with over 30 meeting rooms and flexible spaces for gatherings ranging from small meetings to large conferences of up to around 1,000 delegates, as well as a café and bookshop.

 

01) Getting there.
Friends House on Euston Road is directly opposite Euston Station, making it easily reachable via step-free access from the main rail concourse. For Tube travel, use King’s Cross St Pancras or Euston Square and continue via bus (e.g., 18, 30, 73, 205, 390). Blue Badge parking is available nearby on Endsleigh Gardens.

 

02) The Physical space
The venue features a step-free main entrance from the garden side, with lifts providing access to most upper floors and meeting rooms. Accessible toilets are available on multiple levels, hearing loops are installed in key spaces such as The Light auditorium, and assistance dogs are welcome. Most meeting rooms are step-free once inside and can be arranged flexibly to accommodate wheelchair users, though some lower-ground floor rooms are not fully accessible. The 35 meeting rooms and event spaces can host gatherings from 10 to 1,000 delegates, with complimentary WiFi and a wide range of audio-visual equipment available for hire. There is also an accessible open courtyard, which provides a pleasant outdoor space when the weather is good. Nearest Changing Places toilets are at the Wellcome Collection (2-minute walk) and Euston Station (3-minute walk).

 

 

Calthorpe Community Centre- 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8LH. 020
7837 8019. info@calthorpecommunitygarden.org.uk

 

Calthorpe Community Centre in King’s Cross is a community hub and garden offering local residents opportunities to grow food, join activities, volunteer, and take part in workshops, supporting wellbeing, social connections, and inclusion for all ages.

01) Getting there.
The centre is about a 10–12 minute walk from King’s Cross Station, which has step-free access from the street to many platforms. Wheelchair users can also take buses 46 or 17 from King’s Cross, which stop nearby. Blue Badge parking is limited in the area, so public transport is recommended. The path to the centre is step-free but not entirely smooth, with wheelchair access through the garden entrance. Taxis may not always know the exact location of the entrance, so it can help to provide directions in advance.

 

02) The Physical space
The centre has several rooms available from £35/hr, with discounts for charities, universities, and not-for-profit organisations. The entire site can also be hired for larger events. There is a cabin available for summer use, though activities from other groups on-site may sometimes be noisy or disruptive. The garden and centre aim to be welcoming and inclusive, with wheelchair access throughout. Meeting rooms are accessed via the garden along a step-free path, though the paving is not completely smooth. There is an accessible toilet on-site, but no Changing Places facility; the nearest are at King’s Cross Station or Great Ormond Street Hospital (8-minute walk).

 

St Luke’s Community Centre- 90 Central St, London EC1V 8AJ. 020 7549 8181.
info@slpt.org.uk

St Luke’s Community Centre is a local community hub in Islington. It offers large and small rooms suitable for a variety of events. The centre also features an online hub with free WiFi and resources for all ages. Their fully equipped, accessible Cookery School can be hired, with all income supporting classes that teach the local community healthy, budget-friendly cooking and how to reduce food waste.

 

01) Getting there.
The nearest Tube is Old Street Station, which does not have full step-free access. Buses stopping nearby include routes 21, 43, 55, 215, and 243, all of which are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. For drivers, blue badge parking may be available on nearby streets, but public transport is generally easier. Once at the centre, level access and lifts are available to the main spaces and rooms.

 

02) The Physical Space.
The centre has a step-free entrance, automatic doors, level access to main areas, and accessible toilets (though turning space is somewhat limited). The reception has a lowered counter, and a hearing loop is available. Lifts provide access to the main spaces, but there is no on-site Blue Badge parking or Changing Places facility. Outdoor areas include an Edible Yard and a sunny terrace, while the Garden Room offers a private street entrance and a secluded terrace garden. See their rooms for hire here.

 

 

East London

 

Graeae Theatre Company- Bradbury Studios, 138 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DY. 020 7613 6900. info@graeae.org

Graeae Theatre Company produces accessible theatre, reaching audiences who may have limited access to the arts, while training disabled artists.

 

01) Getting there
The closest station is Hoxton Overground (step-free), while Old Street Tube is nearby but not step-free. Buses stopping nearby include 149, 242, and 243.

 

02) Physical Space
The building offers fully accessible rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces with height-adjustable lighting rigs. Facilities include two changing places toilets. An induction loop system, BSL interpretation, gender-neutral toilets, seating areas, and drinking water are available, with staff trained in BSL Level 1+. Blue Badge parking may be available on nearby streets. The theatre also provides hearing loops and sensory-friendly adjustments on request.

 

 

London Museum Studios- First Floor, Studio Smithfield, 1 East Poultry Avenue, EC1A 9PT. londonmuseumstudios@londonmuseum.org.uk

London Museum Studios has two bookable rooms free for community partners in the City of London and Islington. Rooms can support meetings, film screenings, workshops and small-scale indoor fitness classes.

 

01) Getting there
The nearest station is Farringdon (served by Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Thameslink and Elizabeth line) which is step free and about a 4-minute walk to the venue, and several London buses (40, 63 and 341) stop close by for a step-free journey right to the area. Car parking can be found at Smithfield Car Park – 3-minute walk.

 

02) Physical Space
London Museum Studios is a fully wheelchair accessible venue, found on the First Floor of Studio Smithfield. There are two lifts available and accessible toilets. A quiet space is available in the studios. There’s no Changing Places Toilet, the closest is at the Barbican centre, which is a 10 minute walk away. You can also view their visual story to get to know the Studios better before arriving.

 

 

London Museum of Docklands- No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London
E14 4AL. 020 7001 9844. venuehire@londonmuseum.org.uk

London Museum Docklands is a museum that explores the history of the River Thames, the growth of the Port of London and the docks’ historical link to the Atlantic slave trade. There are meeting rooms available to book.

 

01) Getting there
Step-free options are by Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and nearby buses: West India Quay DLR (about a 3-minute walk with step-free access) and Canary Wharf station (DLR, Jubilee and Elizabeth line, around a 7-minute step-free walk) are both good step-free choices. For buses, several London bus routes stop a short walk away- including 135, 277, D3, D7, D8, N277 and N550 at West India Avenue (around 300 m) and 15, 115, D6, N15 and N551 at Upper North Street (about 700 m). You can also use the accessible Uber Boat River Bus to Canary Wharf Pier and walk about 8 minutes along level pavements. From all these stops and stations there are clear pedestrian routes to the museum’s main entrance on the quayside, and if cobbled surfaces are difficult, the staff can welcome people via a ramped rear entrance on Hertsmere Road with advance notice.

 

02) Physical Space
The building has lifts on every floor so you can reach all gallery levels without stairs, assistance dogs are welcome everywhere, and there are accessible toilets on the ground and third floors with a Changing Places facility. The museum offers visual story guides and sensory maps, and other sensory aspects of the exhibits, and seating and folding seats are available throughout the galleries. If cobbled pavements around the main quayside entrance pose difficulty, the staff can welcome you via the staff entrance on Hertsmere Road with a ramp, just press the buzzer or arrange ahead with the Box Office. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed by advance request, and staff are available to assist. The museum also runs quiet sessions and sensory-friendly events.

 

Sadlers Wells East- 101 Carpenters Rd, Stratford Cross, London E20 2AR. 020 7863 8198. events@sadlerswells.com

Sadlers Wells East is a newly built space with accessibility in mind. As well as a theatre space, it also has hireable meeting rooms.

 

01) Getting there
Step-free access is available from Stratford Station (Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth Lines, DLR, Overground & National Rail) and Stratford International (650 m walk), with level, paved paths through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Several bus routes serve the venue, including 108, 339, 97, and 388, with stops near the London Aquatics Centre or Westfield Avenue. From these stops, it’s a short, step-free walk to the theatre entrance. The surrounding paths are fully paved, making it straightforward to reach the venue from multiple transport options.

 

02) Physical Space
Step-free access throughout the building, lifts to all public areas, wheelchair-accessible seating in the auditorium, and accessible toilets on site, including a Changing Places toilet. In addition to performance spaces, there’s hireable meeting rooms and studios suitable for workshops, presentations, and conferences, which all have hearing-loop systems.

 

The Barbican- Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS. 020 7870 2500.
business.events@barbican.org.uk.

As well as being a cultural space, The Barbican has meeting rooms available to hire.

 

01) Getting there

The 153 bus stops closest to the main Silk Street entrance, with additional services like the 4 and 56 stopping near Barbican tube station. The nearest step‑free stations for tube/train are Moorgate and Farringdon, both offering lifts from street to platform
and then an easy paved walk to the centre; Liverpool Street also has step‑free access with a slightly longer walk. On arrival, the Barbican building itself has step‑free access from Silk Street and internal lifts to all public areas. The Centre’s own car parks off Silk Street and Beech Street include designated Blue Badge bays in Car Park 3 and Car Park 5, providing level access into the venue and lifts to key floors.

 

02) Physical Space
Accessible meeting room hire and other events, offering step‑free access from its main Silk Street entrance with lifts serving all public levels and ramps throughout the complex, accessible toilets on multiple floors. In addition to a wide range of conference rooms and meeting spaces available for hire with level access, the Centre also includes a Changing Places facility located in the Beech Street cinema complex. Assistance dogs are welcome, and the Barbican runs an access scheme to support booking needs.

 

 

East and South East Asian Community Centre- 12-14 Englefield Road, N1 4LS.
+44 (0)20 8986 6171. info@seeac.org.uk

The East and South East Asian Community Centre is a community hub supporting people of East and Southeast Asian heritage in the UK, offering services like welfare advice, mental health support, advocacy, and social activities to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and community connections.

 

01) Getting there
The closest Overground station is Dalston Junction (8-minute walk), which has full step-free access and a Changing Places toilet. Hoxton Overground is also nearby and step-free. Multiple buses stop along Kingsland High Street, including 30, 38, 56, 277/N277, 149, 243, 242/N242, 67, 76, and 488. Pavements along both the station route and the high street are newly built with low kerbs. There is no on-site parking, but Blue Badge holders can use shared pay-and-display bays on Haggerston Road or park on single/double yellow lines for up to three hours with a badge.

 

02) Physical Space
The main entrance has a step, but a portable ramp is available, and there is wheelchair access via a side entrance, though turning can be tight for power wheelchair users. They also have a ramp they can use for the front entrance. Inside, the venue is step-free throughout, with a square open-plan café at the front and long, wide corridors leading to modern, airy halls at the back. The accessible toilet is step-free, with grab rails and a changing bench, but there is no on-site Changing Places toilet – the closest is at Dalston Junction (8-minute walk).

 

 

Haggerston Community Centre- 8 Lovelace St, London E8 4FF. 020 8356 7845.
Haggerstoncc@hackney.gov.uk

Haggerston Community Centre is a council-run community hub in Hackney offering versatile halls and meeting rooms for local events, classes, workshops, and private functions, supporting community activities and engagement.

 

01) Getting there
The centre is a 4-minute walk from Haggerston Overground Station, which is step-free (Category B1) with lift access, accessible toilets, and a Changing Places facility. Hoxton Overground is another nearby step-free option. There is no on-site parking, but Blue Badge holders can use shared pay-and-display bays on Haggerston Road or park on single/double yellow lines for up to three hours. Nearby bus stops serve routes 149, 242, N242, 243, 236, 67, 76, 277, and 488. Pavements surrounding the centre are even, newly built, and have low kerbs, making routes easier for wheelchair users.

 

02) Physical Space
The venue is newly redeveloped, modern, and spacious, with wheelchair access to ground-floor spaces and accessible toilets. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and open hall spaces, making it suitable for a wide range of activities and events. However Dalston Junction is the closest Changing Places toilet, a 10 minute walk.

 

 

City Hall- Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE. 020 7983 4000.
visits@london.gov.uk

The headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA), located in the Royal Docks area of Newham.

01) Getting there
The nearest step-free stations are Royal Victoria (DLR), Custom House (DLR and Elizabeth Line), West Silvertown (DLR) and Canning Town (Jubilee line). City Hall is served by bus routes 474, 147, 241, 325 and 678. You can also travel by boat to North Greenwich Pier or via the IFS Cloud Cable Car to Royal Docks. Covered bike racks are available behind City Hall on Kamal Chunchie Way. There are two parking bays reserved for Blue Badge holders, and it’s recommended to contact them in advance to reserve one.

02) Physical Space
City Hall has step-free entrances, lifts, and accessible toilets throughout. They include a Changing Places toilet. The building provides facilities such as hearing loops in meeting and event rooms and can arrange BSL support for visitors. Sensory-friendly access can also be coordinated in advance for groups requiring a quieter environment. There is a security check when entering the building, which can take time.

 

The Sundial Centre- 11 Shipton St, London E2 7RU. 020 3828 3928.
bookings@sundialcentre.org

Sundial Centre is a community and day‑care centre in Bethnal Green, East London (Tower Hamlets). It’s a local public space run in partnership with Peabody and other community services that provides social, recreational and support services for people in the area.

 

01) Getting there
Hoxton Station (Windrush Line) is a step-free station just a 5-minute walk away with a Changing Places toilet. The area is served by bus routes 26, 55, 149 and 510. There is no on-site parking.

 

02) Physical Space
Available for weekend hire. The centre offers a fully equipped assisted bathroom and wet room with easy access, two wheelchair-adapted minibuses for transport, hoists and lifting aids, a built-in entrance ramp, a lift to the first floor, and a hearing loop.

 

 

West London

 

Action on Disability Centre for Independent Living- Ground Floor Office, Mo
Mowlam House Clem Attlee Court, London SW6 7BF. 020 7385 2098.
info@aod.org.uk.

The Action on Disability Centre for Independent Living in Fulham is a disability-led hub supporting disabled people to live independently. It offers advice, advocacy, training, peer groups, and community activities. The centre is run by disabled people, for disabled people, to promote inclusion and independence.

 

01) Getting there
The centre is located at Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London SW6 7BF. Nearest Tube stations include Fulham Broadway which has step free access. The closest bus stop is on Mulgrave Road, which hosts the 74, 190, 430, N74, N97. There are disabled parking bays you can book in advance.

 

02) Physical Space
A dedicated disability‑led community centre in Hammersmith & Fulham. The space was developed with full accessibility in mind, with step‑free access and full wheelchair access, including wide doorways. There is a Changing Places toilet and an accessible community garden, including raised beds. The centre can usually accommodate BSL and interpreter support on request.

 

Wilditch Estate Community Centre- 48 Culvert Rd, London SW11 5BB. events@enablelc.org

Wilditch Estate Community Centre is a local community centre and public hall in Battersea. It’s a multi‑purpose venue run on behalf of Wandsworth Council that offers rooms and a main hall for hire for community activities, classes, meetings, exercise groups, rehearsals, and private events.

 

01) Getting there
Wilditch Estate Community Centre is well served by public transport, particularly buses, with several routes (including 44, 49, 319, 344 and 345) stopping within a 4–7 minute walk. Clapham Junction is the nearest step-free train station (24-minute walk), while Battersea Power Station (Northern line) provides a step-free Tube option but is a longer walk (28 minutes). There is no on site parking, but on-street parking is available nearby.

 

02) Physical Space
Wilditch Estate Community Centre has step-free access via a sloped entrance and level access throughout the building, with a lift connecting the ground and first floors. There are adapted toilets on both floors but no Changing Places toilet. Most rooms are accessible to wheelchair users, though some internal walkways are narrow and doors are mainly manual. There is no hearing loop. Assistance dogs are welcome, lighting is generally good, and signage is clear. The nearest Changing Places toilets are at Clapham Junction station (24-minute walk) and Battersea Power Station (28-minute walk).

 

Open Door Community Centre- Keevil Dr, London SW19 6TF. 020 8871 8174. events@enablelc.org

Open Door Community Centre is a local community centre in Southfields, Wandsworth, London that provides a multi‑use public hall and rooms for groups to hire.

 

01) Getting there
The main entrance has step‑free access with a gentle ramp.. There is at least one Blue Badge parking space nearby, and on‑street parking is also available. There are several London bus routes, including 39, 493, and 639. The nearest Tube station is Southfields on the District Line, about a 10–12 minute walk, though step‑free access may be limited at certain entrances. Community transport services, like Wandsworth’s accessible minibuses, are another option.

 

02) Physical Space
The main hall is spacious and airy. Step‑free access via a sloped entrance, level access through most areas, wheelchair‑accessible rooms and an adapted accessible toilet with right‑hand transfer space. However, some parts (like specific teaching rooms or basement areas) may involve steps, and there is no Changing Places toilet or built‑in hearing assistance system.

 

Acton Gardens Community Centre- Munster Court Bollo Bridge Rd, London W3
8UU. 020 8075 5240. info@actongardens.community

Acton Gardens Community Centre is a modern, purpose‑built community hub in South Acton, West London that opened in 2019 as part of the Acton Gardens regeneration project. It provides flexible spaces for community and voluntary groups, classes, meetings, events, and social activities, with multiple halls, meeting rooms, and kitchen facilities available for hire

 

01) Getting there
The centre is very close to public transport, a 5 minute walk from South Acton Overground station (step-free) and roughly 10 minutes on foot from Acton Town Tube station (step-free). Buses in the area include local routes that serve Acton High Street and surrounding streets (such as the E3, 207, 266 and N11 at nearby stops). Walking routes from stations and bus stops are mostly level.

 

02) Physical Space
Acton Gardens Community Centre is a modern, purpose‑built community hub in South Acton with step‑free, wheelchair‑accessible entrances and level access throughout the building. It has mobility‑adapted toilets available but no Changing Places facilities. The pavements around the centre are level and newly built, and there is also a large, well kept green, good for summer months.

 

Sands Arts Community Centre- Peterborough Rd, London SW6 3EZ. 020 3196 9431. welcome@seacc.uk

Sands End Arts & Community Centre is a modern arts and community hub in South Park, Fulham, London designed to bring people together through creative, social and cultural activities. It’s run by a local charitable trust

 

01) Getting there
Served by routes like the C3, 28, 295, or 306 stopping within a short walk of the centre. The nearest Overground station is Imperial Wharf, about a 20–30 minute walk.. The closest Tube station is Fulham Broadway on the District Line, around 15–20 minutes’ walk. There’s also the Chelsea Harbour River Bus nearby if traveling via the Thames.

 

02) Physical Space
A single‑storey building with step‑free, level access throughout. There are accessible toilets, an accessible bathroom and baby‑changing facilities, as well as family‑friendly amenities, and nearby accessible parking helps visitors arriving by car. The centre also has a café and flexible spaces that are all on ground level. Its main hall and meeting room are spacious with natural light. The nearest Changing Places toilet is a 33-minute walk away, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

In honour of Alice Wong, Sisters of Frida would like to gather in community to celebrate her life.

Sisters of Frida will be hosting a community gathering to watch the livestream of Alice Wong’s celebration of life memorial from the United States. We invite you to come together to celebrate her life, her work, and the wisdom she shared with the world. Alice Wong remains a powerful voice for Disability Justice; a comrade in struggle who through her writing, activism, and leadership fought for a world in which all beings are free. Alice cherished friendship, community and storytelling and in the days after her passing, a message she had prepared was shared widely. In her own words:
“I’m honoured to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

Where: Calthorpe Community Garden, London, England

When: Wednesday, March 25th from 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Disability History Month

Disability History Month in the UK takes place from the 20th November to the 20th December. At Sisters of Frida, we look at the experiences of disabled women and gender diverse people, as our stories are usually overlooked in disability spaces, or feminist spaces.

We discuss topics people don’t always acknowledge: isolation, relationships, sexuality, and our safety as disabled women. There’s also the emotional and practical labour we do, as many disabled women are also mothers and/or carers.

This Disability History Month, we’re celebrating the solidarity of disabled women and gender diverse people. We hope that more people pay attention to understand the issues we face, and support the work that we’re doing. 

As the year draws to a close, we want to celebrate the stories and creativity of disabled women and gender diverse people. Wishing you warmth, connection, and solidarity, from Sisters of Frida. 

Welcoming our new Co-Director, Svetlana Kotova

We’re excited to announce our new Co-Director, Svetlana Kotova. A founding member of Sisters of Frida, Svetlana is a Disabled lawyer who has spent many years fighting for the rights of Disabled people. She has worked in a range of advice and policy roles, supporting Disabled people to advocate for their rights locally and internationally. Svetlana is passionate about ensuring Disabled people have equal rights and can use the law effectively to challenge discrimination and social injustice. She is also a coach and looks forward to supporting others in that role.

A tribute to Alice Wong

© John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation – used with permission

Alice Wong a pioneering writer and disability rights activist, passed away on Friday, 14th November, in San Francisco. 

Wong became a powerful voice for disability justice, challenging systemic ableism through her writing, activism, and the Disability Visibility Project. Known for her sharp humour, she authored Year of the Tiger and edited collections such as Disability Visibility, earning a MacArthur “genius grant” in 2024. 

In the days after her passing, a statement she had written for social media resonated widely, celebrating friendship, community, and storytelling while sharing her journey toward self-acceptance and calling for more stories from disabled people. 

In her own words, “I’m honoured to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” Her legacy of advocacy, courage, and wit will endure.

Why Changing Places are important for disabled people

The more we research into accessible venues, the more we realise how important it is to have Changing Places toilets in order to be inclusive.

For those who do not know what Changing Places toilets are, they are toilets with extra space and equipment such as hoists and an adult changing table for people who has less mobility and need extra help to access facilities. Standard size ‘accessible ‘ toilets are too small to accommodate helpers and do not have the equipment.

Equipment found in Changing Places includes:

• A height adjustable adult-sized changing bench
• A tracking hoist system, or mobile hoist 

What makes Changing Places Accessible?

• Enough space for a disabled person and two carers
• A centrally places toilet with room both sides for a wheelchair to maneuver
• A privacy screen or curtain
• A wide tear-off paper roll to cover the adult changing bench
• A large waste bin provided
• Non-slip flooring

Without Changing Places toilets, many disabled people are restricted in being able to travel, attend events or work. When it comes to disabled people who menstruate, there is that added urgency.

At Sisters of Frida, we try to locate venues that has Changing Places toilets or have them nearby. We also need to ascertain that they are well maintained and functional.

Why we need Changing Places toilets | Disability Unit

City Bridge Foundation grant for Sisters of Frida

We are delighted to share that the City Bridge Foundation has awarded Sisters of Frida a significant grant over two years through its Bridging Divides Programme. This generous support represents an important milestone for our organisation and will play a crucial role in advancing justice for disabled women and gender diverse people in London. The funding will strengthen community-based knowledge, enhance cross-sector collaboration, and ensure full participation and access support for all our members and wider contributors. It will also provide vital resources for consultancy work and the development of a pilot research project.

The Women’s Resource Centre will act as our host organisation on behalf of Sisters of Frida throughout this period. In addition, this grant enables us to expand our team. We are delighted to welcome Anahita Harding as our communications, outreach, and relationship management officer and Niku Gupta as our new administrator. They will be working on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be contacted at admin@sisofrida.org and comms@sisofrida.org respectively.

We are deeply grateful for this invaluable support and look forward to the opportunities it will create for strengthening our work and amplifying the voices of disabled women and gender diverse people across London.

Are You Comfortable Yet? Disability Arts Online zine review

Eleanor Lisney awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Eleanor Lisney. Photo taken from University of Greenwich

We are delighted to announce that our director, Eleanor Lisney, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Art by the University of Greenwich in recognition of her outstanding contribution to disability rights and culture. A globally respected campaigner and writer, Eleanor co-founded Culture Access and Sisters of Frida, has influenced national legislation, and has represented disabled communities on international platforms, including at the European Parliament.

Since 2018, she has played a pivotal role at Greenwich, pioneering the first Disability Culture Festival, contributing significant research, and leading a UKRI-funded project at the University centred on disabled people’s lived experiences. Her dedication to disability rights, her insistence on an intersectional framework, and her commitment to amplifying marginalised voices continue to inspire.

Disabled, Queer, and Broody

We’re grateful for this piece from our anonymous contributor. Thank you for your continued support:

Anon

“I don’t want kids. I can’t afford kids. I don’t have enough energy to take care of me, sometimes. I wouldn’t be a good parent. And I really don’t want to be pregnant, ever. 

And yet, I got broody. Again. Every time I’m in a good relationship, I start to want to cuddle stuff, and start crying when I see anything I find adorable that I can’t cuddle if my hormones are a bit higher than average. Fluffy animals are a particularly high cry risk. 

“Get cats!” or “Get IVF!” are what some of my friends have suggested. These options are both unaffordable in money and spoons. 

I know there are more options, like being a step-parent, or fostering, or adoption. I know many disabled people make it work, but I don’t think I could do it; I wouldn’t be able to be the kind of 24/7 or consistent pattern parent that I would want to be. 

I could be great as an only sometimes, but I don’t have siblings who need a niblet-sitter. 

But I have energy that’s going to find somewhere to go, and my younger PAs are already getting smothered.

Trying to think what I realistically want is tricky. Anything I write sounds like a cheesy advert from the 90s:

Do you need encouragement to do something scary? Having a bad day? Got something to celebrate? Perfect, I will lean my head on your head and say supportive things, if you put your head on my shoulder. I can also make comforting noises and pasta! If you’re a grown human who needs some extra warm vibes just occasionally; this Disabled, Queer, and Broody might be for you! T-rex arms and positioning hairband included! 

If I had the money, I’d build a queer-safe flat block for adults who need to get away or have been kicked out of their previous home. 

Everyone has their own space and everything they need to live, but also knows that there is a friendly person just down the hall who has made extra potatoes, and will tell you that your new shoes look great, and ask how you’re doing and mean it! You need to know how to plait your hair or mend something?: just ask! Your home comes with a Disabled, Queer, and Broody neighbour! (Spoon levels not guaranteed). 

At the moment, I have houseplants. They’re not very cuddly – particularly the cactus – but they’re well-fed, well-watered, and having babies of their own. 

Plants included!

I haven’t found the solution. I don’t know what realistically that might be. There might not be one. 

But right now, I think a lot of disabled people and a lot of queer people need some hugs, so just yell if that’s you and either I or someone else who feels like this will appear in a cloud of glitter and carbs.”

Thanks.

OpenOut

Photo courtesy of OpenOut.

A warm and merry Christmas from OpenOut (formerly Open Barbers) Hair. Many of us have been welcomed into their salon over the years, and they’ve generously offered home haircuts for disabled people when needed. E-cards can be bought in store, and merchandise from their online shop. All proceeds go toward helping low-income clients access affordable haircuts

In this ezine, we have some artwork from Culture Access. They worked together as a group and individually. These have been in an exhibition and will be housed, hopefully, more permanently in an art gallery when it opens in the summer.

Culture Access

Culture Access CIC, a collective of Deaf and Disabled people, had an exhibition of their joint artwork at Woolwich Centre Library. It is a pan-disability group and Deaf, Blind and Visually impaired, neurodiverse people all worked together. Many of the group had not produced any artwork before and here are some of their graphic and tactile examples. They have an offer of a longer exhibition in a couple of months in south-east London, to be announced later.

Here are the artists’ comments on their artwork:

Anahita Harding: “this collage weaves together green fabric knots with a variety of colours and textures— inviting hands and eyes to explore.”

Eleanor Thoe: “Durian is a favourite fruit from East and South East Asia. It is a strong and pungent fruit and has a spiky exterior. But the delicious creaminess is unbeatable. It brings back memories and reminders of my heritage as an immigrant here.”

Kamila Miri: “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast and always brings people in peace and harmony.”

Sajida Shah: “I don’t need vision to see my artwork, I can feel it and it’s just as good.”

Sue Elsegood and Kate Brown: “When diverse threads weave together they become stronger & create something uniquely beautiful”

Commission on the Status of Women Parliamentary Briefing

Eleanor and Kym went to the briefing at Portcullis House for Sisters of Frida. 

2025 is the 30th anniversary of the last UN World Conference on Women held in Beijing and the ‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’ (BPfA) which stated commitments of participating countries. The BPfA remains a foundational document for advancing towards equality of women and men. 30 years on, the BPfA has not been fully implemented anywhere in the world.

Every year at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the annual UN event to monitor progress on the BPfA, participants fight to hold the line against a roll-back on the rights for women and girls globally.

This March, a sizeable UK NGO delegation participated in the 69th Session of the CSW and were active in all areas of the Commission. The UK Government endorsed and helped negotiate the CSW69 Political Declaration, which improved on the Political Declaration made 5 years ago. Yet it is not the robust document that women and girls need.

In the photo are Kym Oliver, Eleanor Lisney and Zarin Hainsworth (NAWO)

Green Paper ‘Pathways to Work’

Welfare Not Warfare

We are much concerned, as are other DDPOs and Disabled people, with the government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper. Some of us took part in the marches on 26th March.

Mass Lobby on 21st May

There is much happening to fight against the cuts.

The next big event is on 21st May, when there is a mass lobby in parliament. It’s a powerful opportunity to speak with one voice.

If you can make it, please come and meet with your MP, and tell them to vote against these harmful cuts.

There will be information provided on the day to support you, as well as volunteers from many Disabled-led organisations helping attendees.

You can also get funding to travel to Westminster and stay in a hotel if needed (see image below).

Read more about the mass lobby and how to get involved on the Well Adapt website!

Women’s Budget Group

Sisters of Frida is working with the Women’s Budget Group to research the impact of cuts on Disabled women.

Many thanks to the generosity of those who responded to the questionnaire – we will keep you posted on the outcome of this research.

The questionnaire was described like this:

“The Women’s Budget Group (a feminist economics think tank) and Sisters of Frida (a Disabled women and non-binary people’s collective) are conducting analysis of how the changes to disability benefits and work support announced by the Government in March 2025 will affect Disabled women specifically. We will use the findings from this research to put pressure on MPs, politicians and policymakers, to reconsider these reforms and protect Disabled women, and Disabled people in general, from poverty and socio-economic hardship. 

We are using national statistics to describe the impact these reforms will have on Disabled women. We are also doing interviews with women with lived experience of disability to better understand how these reforms will affect their lives, and the effects the announcement of cuts is already having on women’s health and wellbeing. 

If you agree to take part, we will ask you to share your experiences of disability and state support by answering the questions below. Your participation is voluntary, and you do not need to answer any questions you don’t want to, and you can stop completing the survey at any point if you wish to.  

Your responses will be used to illustrate how disability reforms are expected to impact Disabled women. We may use excerpts of your answers in our briefing. It will be anonymised so that the information cannot be linked to you.”

We launched this e zine last year in October, 2021. We decided against calling it a newsletter because it’s not just about our news but the voices of disabled women and non binary people, showing opinions, reflections and creative pieces.

We had members who wanted the possibility of sharing some of individual pieces so we’ re posting here for easy retrieval later.

We need you here

From Fleur Perry
Fleur is a law student and disabled people’s activist living in the South West. Her main interests are accessible housing and Equality Act breaches.

Fighting for your needs and your rights can be draining in every way. You push and push against a sea of eyebrows slightly raised in amused disbelief, or bent into a sharp frown of “How dare you?” or receive the same flat emails carefully constructed to make “Go away” sound like good business.
If that seems familiar, you are not alone. You don’t need to fight this alone. Every member of the SoF community has met a barrier that needs smashing. As disabled women and non-binary disabled people, we know the impact it has, what it feels like, and have words for feels that non-disabled people have never had to know.
We share those experiences, the bad and the good. We share knowledge and resources and music and poetry, building context and learning from each other. Judgement and shame, intrusive questions and gossip are for somewhere else – not here. Mutual solidarity, inclusion, and making space are key principles.
We want you here. We want your opinions. We want your voice. Got something to say that no one’s ever said before? Say it here. Know something that you don’t think will make sense to anyone else? Try us! We want to understand. You will be heard. You will be believed. You will be valued.
We think this is the first step to change. If we want to try to do something to make our world a better place to live, it has to work for everyone, and that’s means we need everyone. If we don’t have you, we’re missing out.
I think the community is the most valuable part of SoF. The reports and opportunities to campaign on some of the biggest issues in the UK today are all built from the experiences of individuals, and the time and energy they each give to making sure that knowledge isn’t lost, but unleashed.
What do you want to say?

“Disability justice is the art and the practice of honouring the body” An interview with Lydia X.Z. Brown

In this interview with Lani Parker of Sideways Times, Lydia X.Z Brown talks about disability justice as a praxis which honours the body and the whole person. Disability justice is a radical framework which requires understanding the interconnected nature of oppression and that we must tackle all forms of oppression in order to change the system we live in. We also talk about differences in language, tensions within disability movements and the importance of using a variety of tactics amongst other things…

Read or listen to it at Sideways Times. Thank you, Lani and Lydia for the podcast.

We are warriors

from Sarah Rennie. 

Sarah is a former solicitor, her day-to-day work is research and governance advice. However, Sarah delivers disability equality training nationwide and acts as a consultant for select clients on internal equality working groups.

I owe a great deal to Sisters of Frida.

Years ago, I was asked me to join the steering group and I experienced a major case of imposter syndrome. Looking back – I’m not going to lie – I did have a lot to learn. I was in my late 20s and feeling pretty unsure about my identity. In fact, I would sometimes feel uncomfortable around disabled people due to what I now realise is a classic case of internalised ableism. I was a feminist, a solicitor-turned-access-consultant, a feminist and had started attending disability rights protests. Sheepishly, alone and stood at the back.

Within Sisters of Frida, I saw myself as the boring but useful person who could help with governance and report writing. In a space with such incredible and talented disabled women, I was just in awe. I listened a lot and absorbed their ideas and critiques like a sponge. Whilst I battled my insecurities, I was made nothing but welcomed and treated as one of the gang.

After helping out where I could, one of the first projects I really got my teeth into was the Serious Crime Act and the defence to the crime of coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship. I represented Sisters of Frida at the UN in Geneva, along with other DDPOs, to present evidence of violations on disabled people’s rights to the UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled People. This was one of the greatest honours of my life.

Over the years, my confidence grew but so did my personal self-esteem. I finally felt comfortable in my own skin and proud to be a disabled woman. Whenever anyone asks why, I always credit the experiences I had and friendships I made through Sisters of Frida.

But my newfound confidence in activism was bitter sweet. In 2019, I was about to face a pretty tough challenge: the block of flats I live in is wrapped in cladding like that of Grenfell Tower and riddled with fire safety defects. I knew that disabled people were facing additional financial and safety issues, such as lack of savings or means of escape, so I co-founded Claddag, a disability action group, with another disabled woman. Sadly for me, I knew I couldn’t run the campaign and fulfil my commitment to Sisters of Frida so I had to resign from the latter. As expected, the team understood completely and have given me loads of emotional and practical help with Claddag.

If our fight for justice in the building safety crisis is successful, then my first task will be to knock on Sisters of Frida’s door and ask if they’ll take me back to support with the work. As they are a group of compassionate, inclusive, uplifting and strong warriors and I have no reason to think they won’t welcome me home.

A unique voice: why Sisters of Frida Matters

by Bethany Young 

Bethany is actively involved in with Third Sector organisations, promoting equality and advocating for disability rights. She is a SOF steering group member.

People often ask me why I joined Sisters of Frida. Why do you need it? In the past, I have asked the same question.. For years, I had soaked up the idea that my barriers came from having Cerebral Palsy. It was my job to overcome these. My experience of being both Disabled and a girl, then a woman, led to more isolation, and more hurdles that others didn’t see. If I could not clear them or ignore them myself I was a failure. It was all my fault.

Looking back, these beliefs I was taught about myself made no sense. I was putting loads of effort and skill into every area of my life – from employment and Independent Living to family relationships and managing my CP. Nothing changed, in fact the barriers got worse. After reaching out for help, I asked myself – maybe the problem isn’t me? I realised that so many of my experiences came from the strings attached to me. My CP is mine. My body and my mind are mine. These barriers are not. I felt relieved because my struggles made sense without shame or guilt. Everything I thought I knew about Disability shattered. Such a big realisation gave me a sense of hope and freedom, but also fear. I was starting again. Now I had asked the right questions, I needed answers.

I looked for mentors in the Disabled community to get peer support and find out more. I wanted an active community working for social change. Before long, I found Sisters of Frida – a disability organisation truly led by diverse Disabled women. Their inclusive vision and values, creativity and collaborative way of working all made me want to get involved.

Since joining Sisters of Frida, I have worked on lots of wonderful opportunities. I’ve written quotes for press releases, helped plan events, write reports and advocate for Independent Living. Planning for our future is exciting. We are unique because we recognise people don’t exist in clinical, clear-cut tick boxes. Real life diversity is social, human and multi-layered. This idea drives Sisters of Frida’s work and partnerships. We build relationships to connect with other women’s organisations. We bring our lived experience, and knowledge to new audiences. I have amplified the voices of diverse Disabled women on current struggles, like Social Care or Covid-19. Our perspectives don’t need to stay in an isolated bubble. Together, as Sisters of Frida, we spark better, bolder conversations to create change.

I am proud of all I have learned and achieved so far whilst working with everyone in Sisters of Frida. I am a better communicator, collaborator and activist. Working with these women shifted how I saw myself. I know my worth. I found my voice by listening to them. I found answers by learning from them. I am not alone, because together we are Sisters of Frida.

It’s been sometime since we have had meetings – since the lockdown but as disabled people, we are still not confident about having face to face meetings and travelling on public transport.

At Sisters of Frida we decided to have a zoom meeting on Saturday 25th September at noon. It will be an event with a stimulating roundtable discussion with our international disabled sisters from around the world and then breakout sessions among you to discuss where you think SOF should be heading.

You can join using this Zoom link

Speakers

From the Sisters of Frida team

Agenda for the event

12:00 (noon) Start with introduction to Sisters of Frida and speakers

12:05 Roundtable with guest speakers

12:25 Discussion and questions for panel

12:35 Questions from participants

12:40 Conclusions and thank you to guest speakers

12:45 Break (15 minutes)

13:00 Breakout rooms

Questions

• What struck you about the roundtable discussion?
• How does this connect with your involvement (current or future) with Sisters of Frida?

13:45 Comfort break (15 minutes)

14:00 Feedback and what next?

14:30 End

BSL interpreters from Signalise and live captioning will be available.

Music in the interval from Miss Jacqui with thanks for permission.

Thank you to Campaign Bootcamp who generously provided funding that allowed us to make this event accessible.

Useful information

Sisters of Frida wants you to get involved! SoF has been working to build our capacity by working to make our processes more transparent and  to help streamlined so build up disabled women’s voices in all our magnificence. In order to do this we need to expand our steering group. Would you like to help steer the direction of Sisters of Frida? You will meet new people, learn and share new skill. If so, please send an email to  sisofrida@gmail.com and we will send you more information. 

The steering group is not the only way you can get involved. You can now join working groups and work on specific projects. If you are interested please get in touch at sisofrida@gmail.com

This is a pilot project which was filmed / videoed pre pandemic in 2019 first presented by Culture Access at the Disabled and Proud Festival in Woolwich showcasing disability art and culture – a project in progress.

Building on the strong history of women’s activism, disabled women took taking photos of themselves/ or with help using smart phones to (re)create identities of themselves with selfies. Natasha Hirst took part and documented the women’s process and we created self-explanatory videos relating to their identities – as artists, as trade unionists, as activists, activists and journalists etc.

This is also a creative process that is inspired by Frida Kahlo’s work in her portrayal of impairment in identity.

We thank EVAW and Million Women Rise for adding us to the “Never Forgotten Vigil.”

Let us not forget. In #solidarity

See also the Safe Lives report on Disabled people and domestic abuse

We’re excited to announce a call-out for the new Sisters of Frida blog series, and we need your help!

This ongoing blog project is for you and will be shaped by you, the Sisters of Frida community. It will be an online space to share your experiences, stories and creativity, and help us to create a digital sisterhood and archive of disabled women’s voices.

We want to showcase work by writers and artists living with chronic illness, mental illness, and disability. Your work doesn’t need to be about those experiences exclusively, but we welcome and encourage submissions along those lines.

We’re looking for contributions of things that inspire you, this can include non-fiction, fiction, poems, illustrations, photographs, essays, reviews, etc.

Here are some quotes we like:

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde

“Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.” – Unknown

If you’d like to contribute: 

• Send all submissions with the subject SISTER STORIES: *TITLE OF PIECE* to sisofrida@gmail.com

• Please include a short third-person bio and your pronouns, but if you’d like to remain anonymous, that’s fine! Just let us know. If you also want to include a brief background about the piece, please feel free to do so.
• Attach submissions to your email in an accessible format.
  
  
• Non-fiction, essays, reviews should be no longer than 1,000 words.
• Poetry/Artwork – Please submit no more than 5 individual pieces.
• Languages: We welcome submissions in any language but please provide a translation if possible.

The blog will be updated monthly, so expect a calendar’s worth of stories! The frequency may increase depending on the number of submissions.

If you have an idea but need a bit of direction, let us know! We can work through it together, and help to guide whatever it is you’re creating. Just email sisofrida@gmail.com

* Sisters of Frida is an inclusive safe space for all self-identifying and non-binary disabled women. We do not tolerate sexism, homophobia, racism, transphobia or other forms of discrimination based on sexuality, age, gender expression, religion, education or socio-economic status.

Jennifer Brough is the curator of this set of stories/blog.

Jennifer is a writer and editor who lives with fibromyalgia and endometriosis. She is involved in projects at the Feminist Library and seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of self-identifying women.
She is learning Spanish and dreaming of visiting Frida’s house in Mexico, so is very happy to be part of the Sisters of Frida community.

Voices of Disabled women in the pandemic

About this paper

This paper started as a brief but we sent the first version in response to the Women and Equalities Unequal impact: Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the impact on people with protected characteristics. We know that the experiences of Disabled women are not visible in the wider response to COVID-19.

The need to add the narratives focused on Disabled women is the reason for this paper. We feel that the narrative about Disabled women, when available, is very one dimensional. There is no consideration that Disabled women occupy multiple roles, we are diverse and any considerations have to be viewed through an intersectional lens.  We are strongly aware that new measures under the Coronavirus COVID-19 2020 Act threaten rights-based protections and reduce our independent living and in some cases our lives.^[2]

We were asked to join a coalition of women’s organisations^[ calling on the government to take on certain actions, and to contribute evidence from the perspectives from disabled women under the impact of COVID-19. We put out a call for evidence, asking disabled women to share their experiences of COVID-19 and its specific impact for intersecting identities. We want to ensure the voices of Disabled women are visible as they are often omitted as examples of multiple protected characteristics.

We are working with Inclusion London and ROFA (Reclaiming Our Future Alliance) on the rights of disabled people under the Care Act 2014 where these are being eroded, the urgency of access to food and services for disabled people, and access to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for their Personal Assistants (PAs) and themselves.

Disabled women’s needs under COVID-19 measures are no less significant than those of the rest of the disabled community, but disabled women face specific issues.

We are looking in particular at those issues that are impacting rights at the intersection of gender and disability during this crisis.

Please access the paper in (PDF) and/or in Word