Accessible venues in London

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.

 

 

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 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.”

Can You Help Shape the Future of Sisters of Frida?

We need a new steering group to decide where we go next

Sisters of Frida is unique. We are the only collective of disabled women and non-binary people in the country. We create a space for disabled women and non-binary people that DDPOs don’t provide – in fact, nowhere else provides it.

Sisters of Frida formed from a need for disabled women to have a voice within the wider women’s and disabled people’s movements. We are led by ideals and strong principles.

We build community, a space where we want to lift ourselves and each other up, to centre us in thought and action, to celebrate ourselves with pride, to amplify our voices, to share our skills, to challenge power and privilege, and to pursue avenues of change for disabled women and non-binary people. We are a diverse movement committed to an intersectional approach to our work and collective liberation. We’ve impacted national and international conversations about disabled women within both the feminist and disability rights movements. We are committed to radical politics and cross-movement solidarity work.

Like many communities and organisations, the pandemic (and life, more generally) has stretched the capacity of the current directors to its limit. But more importantly, movements can’t flourish without change and evolution. Sisters of Frida needs new energies, directions, ideas, drive, and most importantly, people.

Our new steering group will decide where we go next. We want you to be a part of it.

Previous priority areas have included combating violence against disabled women and girls, and disability and sexuality. Most recently, we’ve conducted research on the impact of the pandemic on disabled women and gender non-conforming people. In all these areas, we’ve shaped conversations nationally and internationally to centre the rights and experiences of disabled women and non-binary people. We’ve often been one of the very few groups speaking from and for these perspectives.

Our future priorities will be up to you.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we know there are voices that have been missing from the conversations we’ve been part of that we haven’t been able to represent. Similarly, we as a community have mutually built and shared skills and knowledge necessary to sustain our efforts but we’ve also learnt that there are other strengths needed to take Sisters of Frida even further.

We are looking for up to 8 people to form Sisters of Frida’s new steering group, to decide our next directions and develop our new organisational strategy. We’re looking to ensure Sisters of Frida can continue and is sustainable.

To do that, we need people with a diverse array of experience, formal or informal, including around fundraising, finance, strategic planning and organisational development.

If you think you can help shape the future of Sisters of Frida we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more about applying to be part of our new steering group, you can find our application documents linked below. They’re available in plain text and easy read format.

What can you expect from the Application process?

• We will close submissions at 5:00pm on 3rd March 2024.
• If you have any questions at any point in the application process, you can get in contact via sisofrida@gmail.com.
• Responses from one of our part-time workers will come as soon as possible, on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• After submissions are closed, we will be in contact shortly afterwards to arrange access for interviews.

More information and to apply

Background to Sisters of Frida

• In standard read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (PDF)

Steering group call out

• In standard read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (PDF)

Application information

• In standard read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (Word document)
• In Easy Read (PDF)

Art piece by Eleanor Parkes

She can be found on Instagram @e.j.parkes

With gratitude for sharing with us

Article by Simone Aspis

I will just begin by introducing myself before setting out my position on Heidi Crowter’s court case, the legal challenge to the Abortion Act on disability discrimination and human rights grounds. Heidi Crowter is currently applying to have her case heard by the European Court of Human Rights after the Supreme Court have refused permission to appeal during May 2023.

I am firstly a disabled feminist who identifies herself as a member of the LBGTQAI+ community. And yes I am Jewish and Yes I am a paid up member of a progressive synagogue and Queer Yeshiva. Nope I am not a pro-lifer or anti-abortion either. I have spent the past 25 years fighting for disabled peoples’ rights across a whole range of issues, anti-disability discrimination, human rights, inclusive education, independent living and medical ethics at the beginning and end of life whilst working for various disabled peoples led organisations and campaigns. I have also been involved in developing the BCODP’s bioethics training pack as well. If you would like to know more about myself click https://www.simoneaspis.co.uk/.

Whilst I no longer support Heidi herself because disability equality has been used to peddle anti-abortion agenda, nevertheless the principle of promoting non-disability discrimination or more broadly non-trait discrimination throughout reproductive decision making is one that needs further debate, and it should not be simply argued away by a woman’s pro-choice rights to abortion. Heidi’s court case raises a bigger question, which is to what extent is it a pregnant woman’s right to choose the traits of her child to be born.

For me there are two very distinct questions that arises from Heidi Crowter’s court case.

The first one is, should a woman have a right to an abortion if she/they do not want children per sue for whatever reason? My answer is a definite Yes.

My second question is, do individual women have the right to decide the human traits of a future child to be born? My answer is No.

Human traits selection of a future child covers disability, race, sex and other traits viewed generally as being desirable or undesirable by our society. Male, white and non-disabled are valued traits of children society generally values. On the other hand female, colour and disabled are not valued traits of children society generally values.

I do not think it should be for pregnant women to make the decisions about the type of future child they want to give birth to. Such decisions have an impact upon the future of our society and the constitution and diversity of any subsequent populations.

States have tried to strengthen the position of women that includes access to education alongside providing financial incentives to positively encourage women to give births to female children who otherwise would had been aborted. In the global South, states have offered financial inducements to encourage the birth of more female babies as they are considered as a drain on family finances. Whilst, feminists have contested the status of girls and religious traditions (including financial customs), such challenges are insufficient to deal with the in-trenched view of women within patriarchal societies that
continue to favour males. One of the unintended consequences is that individual women who decide to give birth to a male baby, think through what would be best for themselves and their individual family unit. I do not expect individual women to consider the cumulative impact of individual women making similar decisions elsewhere in choosing the sex of their child. I have the expectation that the state may well need to intervene to ensure that there is a sufficient diversity reflected within our population. So, the state does have a role in ensuring there is no skewing of male births by making sex-selection abortion unlawful with the aim of maintaining appropriate sex ratios that allows for population replacement and growth. Whatever reproductive technologies are used, there is no getting away from the need to have both male and female births to ensure that the human population exists.

So where does this leave disability because one can argue that there is no need to have disabled people, like you need women and men to guarantee the continuation of the humankind. Not only do we need a society to reflect biological sex diversity, but also one that encompasses individuals with a diversity of human traits including those with physical, sensory and intellectual abilities. After all, we need a population consisting of individuals with a whole range of human traits to have a functioning society. Society is not going to function if we do not have those with all sorts of traits that encourages caring,
artistry, paying attention to detail when it comes to health and safety alongside the accountants, lawyers and all the other roles that are needed and where some of those human traits are commonly (not exclusively) associated with a disability diagnosis.

Despite disabled people having all sorts of human traits needed to create a healthy diverse society, we know there is a very high rate of disability-related abortions because women are too aware of the disablist environment that makes bringing up disabled children a big challenge when there is minimal support systems in place and where everything is deemed to be a struggle. Even if we have all the incentives and a brilliant inclusive systems in place I do not believe that alone would encourage the birth of disabled babies. Just like with the incentives for raising female birth rates, such incentives do not
necessarily encourage women to raise and give birth to disabled babies. Just like with women who opt for sex-selection abortion, they are thinking what is best for themselves and their families. Like with sex selection I do not expect women to consider the cumulative impact of individual women who are making the same decision to terminate disabled babies. So, if we accept individual women’s right to select the human traits of their child is a private matter, then that removes society’s response to our population skewing towards a future without disabled children such as Downs Syndrome or Autism with associated types of human traits. If we view that abortion is simply a woman’s right and nothing else, then we move eugenics from the public to the private sphere that goes beyond public debate and state intervention to ensure we have diverse future population. A population reflecting individuals with diversity of human traits would require state intervention, hence making human trait selection abortion unlawful. If I remember rightly, one of the arguments used by the Conservative Party for not needing anti-disability discrimination laws back in the early 1990s is that we can rely on education, persuasion and good will to ensure disabled peoples inclusion is promoted, even during the time when services were better funded than they are currently. It took the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation, the Disability Discrimination Act, now the Equality Act to bring about change that viewing disabled people and disability equality as a rights based issue.

My position is supported by the UN Convention Rights Of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD and Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) committees that do not support human trait selection abortion, in this case sex and disability.

There are a number of ethical questions that we need to debate by disabled women.

• What type of society do we want to live in?

• Who should decide on the type of society we will have, which will impact upon the present and future populations.

• Should any section of our population become sole decision makers about the kind of future society? I.E. Pregnant women in this case?

By Simone Aspis (Changing Perspectives)

Treasure

A wheat pillow. Chocolate. A cuddly toy. Jewellery. Homemade dinner. Artwork. Clothes. Books. Mugs.

These are some of the material gifts I have received from other disabled people over the past few years. Having pre-made dinner ready to go when you don’t feel well is brilliant, and wearing clothes and jewellery from someone you might not have been able to see in a while feels like being closer to them, somehow.

Good jokes. Bad jokes. Listening. Laughing. Sitting silently side by side. Heckling politicians side by side. Motivation. Backup. Interesting challenges. Opportunities. Protection. Genuine caring. Harsh truths. Acceptance. Understanding. The quest for knowledge, and the relay between those who know and those who need to know. Pockets of peace.

These are some of the non-material gifts I have received from other disabled people over the past few years. These are more important. Knowing that you won’t be ridiculed or punished for who you are allows you to figure it out, if you’ve not had that opportunity. Joining in the fight for legal rights to be upheld and extended is much easier when you’re not fighting alone.

Last year, I had a health issue which required use of a new device for a few weeks. I didn’t have much knowledge, and it had been attached to my body in a way that did not work. Another disabled person sent me a video of how it should work and what they thought had happened. I was sleep-deprived, in pain, feeling awful, and not able to concentrate. They explained everything step by step, patiently, in clear language with a calm and caring voice, without judgement or shame for me not knowing something so simple. It felt like a hug. If I could download how to do that into the brains of every NHS professional, it’d be wonderful. It’s easier to get used to something new when someone with lived experience can talk you through.

A friend made me cry last night. We don’t speak often, as one or the other of us might have a last-minute disaster or just not have the energy. WhatsApp and Messenger just have to do in between. We laughed about recent news, and talked about something personal. She remembered the context that I’d told her a long time before, and spoke of it in a caring tone. To hear something understood and cared about that I’ve had to defend against people who don’t believe it was wonderful.

These things are more valuable, and I treasure these memories.

Take care of each other. You will be treasured.

by Anonymous

Social meetings after lockdown

Sisters of Frida had 2 social meetings this year. We will be having 2 more next year. The meetings are generally to meet as disabled women in London, about SOF, and for us to get to know each other. Please send an email to Eventadmin@sisofrida.org to register an interest.

Photo below of the first meeting in North Greenwich

A Tribute to Lisa Ellwood

Lisa passed away on May 11, 2023. She was only 57. I was shocked and saddened by the news. Though we had never physically met, we had many long conversations on the phone. I was hoping to meet her one day in Edinburgh when she moved there from rural Wales. She gave me encouragement and solidarity on being a disabled woman of colour and gave me lessons on intersectionality. She told me of the discrimination she faced from some disabled people here not because she was a Native American but because she was also autistic, with mental health issues and not afraid to speak out about suicide or domestic violence. She inspired me with her passion for disability rights and taught me to embrace my different identities. She was strong – a feminist warrior – in spite of being hampered by her disability and impairments.

She was also a strong supporter of Sisters of Frida and was in the Steering Group for a short while. She helped in getting news about us at the UN CRPD and CEDAW in Geneva. She believed strongly in having a voice/platform for disabled women and helped us in every capacity. This is her profile in LinkedIn:

A strong communicator with a distinctive voice, Lisa J. Ellwood is an Autistic Lenape and Nanticoke Native American currently resident in the UK.

Ms. Ellwood is a Freelance Journalist & Writer and an active member of the Native American Journalists Association, Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Union of Journalists (UK). She has a B.A. Degree from Temple University with a major in Journalism and Advertising and minors in Marketing & French. Her specializations include Data Journalism & Visualization, NDN Country, Disability Rights, Mental Illness and Autism.

Lisa’s Disability Rights & UK Politics blog, The Creative Crip, has been featured in Society Guardian many times. She was a freelance Correspondent for Indian Country Today Media Network from September 2015 until its hiatus from active operations September 2017 as well as a Contributing Editor and Features Writer for The Promota Africa Magazine. In September 2011 the Left Foot Forward Political Blog cited her effective use of social media and blogging in its “Nomination for most influential left-wing thinker: The disabled rights community”​ feature. She has also been interviewed for Grazia Magazine (Australia) & appeared on radio shows internationally including Native Trailblazers.

We miss her.

Here are tributes from her colleagues:

written by Eleanor Lisney

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.

Our celebratory event was a great success – thank you very much for those who did make it and thank you too for those who sent messages / videos because they couldn’t make it.

Sisters of Frida celebatory event 4th May 2018 Greenwich Yacht Club. Filmed by Lucy Fyson and edited by Leonore Schick. Music from TRG Banks – Milton Milton.

photos taken by Wasi Daniju at the event are at the SOF flickr account but to give you an idea….

 

The following is a letter we wrote to Maria Miller MP (and Jess Phillips MP)

Responses to the letter below are available to download as a PDF.

16 January 2018

Dear Ms Miller (and Ms Phillips),

On Oct 26 2017, you met one of our founders, Eleanor Lisney, at Bringing Women’s Voices into the Heart of Government , Women Resource Centre, House of Common. She mentioned our concerns about the defence to controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship under s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015. You asked her if we would put this in writing to you.

You will be familiar with the offence. We welcome its introduction for all victims of abuse but it is specifically important to disabled women because:

• Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic violence as non-disabled women;
• Disabled women are disproportionately more likely to be trapped in emotionally abusive relationships and/or households where their ‘carers’ receive financial benefits as a result of the victim’s disability; and
• [ethnicity/cultural risk element?]

1. Content of s.76(8)

In light of the high risks for disabled women, we are therefore very concerned that s.76(8) states that it is a defence to show that:

(a) [the accused] believed that he or she was acting in [the victim’s] best interests, and

(b) the behaviour was in all the circumstances reasonable.

We understand that the defence was intended to protect carers. Notwithstanding disabled women have a heightened need for the protection of s.76, we pose the follow questions:

1. Once the case for ‘abuse’ has been made out, why is a defence necessary?
2. S.76(8)(b) is an objective test of reasonableness, but s.76(8)(a) is subjective and wholly irrelevant. Does the Government believe that abuse is permissible if the perpetrator believed it was acceptable?

2. Application of s.76(8)

Turning to the application of this defence, what guidance has been provided to judges? There is a serious risk that cultural stereotypes may wrongly influence the judiciary eg that disabled people need ‘care’, that disabled people need guidance from others, that a carer is a ‘good, kind and selfless person’. In her report the former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Rashida Manjoo, noted that the justice system is ‘widely perceived to be biased in favour of men’ and that disabled women in particular may be subjected to stereotypes that infantilise them.

3. Consultation on s.76(8)

Our fourth question is to what extent were disabled women consulted on s.76 and its defence?

You will be aware that last Summer, the UN Committee on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) published its concluding observations¹ following its first review of the UK government’s compliance with the Convention. The Committee frequently noted that disabled women and girls’ rights “have not been systematically mainstreamed into both the gender equality and disability agenda”. We fear that s.76(8) demonstrates this.

Once you have had a chance to consider the issues, we should be grateful for a response to our questions and to hear whether you intend to take further action.

Yours faithfully,

eleanor

Eleanor Lisney

Co founder/coordinator

hello@sisofrida.org

Sisters of Frida CIC

@sisofrida

United House,

North Road, London, N7 9DP

There were quite a few disabled women at the Women of the World London Festival 2018, some of whom were connected to Sisters of Frida.

Here is Nidhi Goyal’s keynote speech at the Power & Protest: Art, Activism and Disability panel for Sisters of Frida

subtitles/captions to follow soon

here are the photos of the event from the Sisters of Frida’s Flickr account

and at the instagram account

more information on CEDAW on SOF website

and on the Women Resource Centre

WRC contact:     Simma Rai cedaw@wrc.org.uk

SOF contact :  hello@sisofrida.org

—————————————–

Our aim

The Government has to tell the United Nations about women’s rights in the UK.

 

We are collecting experiences from women across England to give to the United Nations. They will use these when they question the UK Government.

 

We want to be sure that disabled women are included. This report will reinforced what DDPOs wrote to the UNCPRD committee in last year’s examination in Geneva. But we will focus more on disabled women and girls’ issues.

 

Please tell us:

• What the problems are, in your own words – we are interested in your personal experiences
• Links to any evidence (research reports if you have them)
• what the government has/has not done since the last time it reported in 2013, and
• your recommendations for what needs to be done.

NB we are reporting on the period from 2013 to date.

 

We can only give a very short report to the United Nations – only 6,600 words!

We are interested in any information you can give us. Some of the areas that the UN will look at include:

 

 

• Trafficking and Prostitution               

• Healthcare – how the NHS supports accessibility of healthcare for disabled women

• Political and Public Life – whether disabled women are properly represented

• Economic and Social Benefits  – social security payments, universal credit, PIP etc

• Rural Women – the special needs of women outside towns and cities including public transport, slow wifi speeds and access to disability services

• Nationality  – special needs of disabled migrant women

• Equality Before the Law – are disabled women equal?

• Education – access to schools, colleges and university for disabled women and girls

• Marriage and Family Life – disabled women’s rights to a family life

• Employment – access to good quality work, and support to work (Access to Work)

• Violence Against Women and Girls – particular problems for disabled women, for example, domestic violence, or such violence against disabled women

 

 

Your evidence will be published unless you tell us otherwise.

Let us know if you want:

☐ EITHER your evidence to be completely confidential, OR

☐ to be shared with the Equality and Human Rights Commission only.

 

Timescale

The deadline for evidence and information is 28 February 2018. Send your evidence to: cedaw@wrc.org.uk

There is more information here

General information – https://thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/our-work/cedaw/

The Government’s own report is here –  http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CEDAW%2fC%2fGBR%2f8&Lang=en

 

The last shadow report from women’s groups is here: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/GBR/INT_CEDAW_NGO_GBR_13333_E.pdf

 

If you have any questions please contact us.

Your experience

 

Any Links to Evidence? Yes/No

 

Has the Government taken action?

 

Your recommendations

 

CEDAW-shadow-report-template-for-written-evidence-from-disabled-women-final (Word doc. for downloading)

When we say “disabled women” we mean self-identifying disabled women, girls, and gender non-conforming people.

Our Vision  

A future in which disabled women are empowered, celebrated, informed, connected, valued and at the centre of society.

Our Mission

To make our vision a reality:

• • We create platforms that support opportunities to learn, share different experiences to increase our knowledge which enable us to challenge oppression and explore new possibilities

• • We speak out against abuse, injustice and discriminatory practices.

• • We fight for disabled women’s voices to be heard in diverse places of influence.

• • We don’t accept tokenism. We expect our allies to demonstrate meaningful engagement and commitment to securing disabled women’s liberation.

• • We embrace and celebrate our diversity by seeking out and highlighting the stories of disabled women from diverse intersectional backgrounds

• • We take opportunities to show how structures of oppression are connected and affect us all and call for their removal

• • We challenge unpaid labour of disabled women, strive for remuneration for our work and ensure our contributions are valued as individuals

Our Values and Ethical Principles

• • We are committed to the social model of disability and an intersectional approach to our oppressions and identities

• • We do not abuse or use our positions as a means to achieve

• • We are proud of who we are as disabled women and girls

• • We are committed to the continual process of challenging power and privileges, internally and externally

• • We believe in the self definition of identity and commit to not policing our identities

• • We expect accessibility and are creative, proactive and work in collaboration to achieve respectful and accessible spaces

• • We recognise, accept and challenge the oppressor within ourselves

• • We ensure credit is given to other disabled women for their ideas, involvement, contributions and work

Explanation of the logo: (logo designed and explained by Frieda Van de Poll)

The Kolibri or Hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible. For the native Americans, the bird is a symbol of rebirth, and of resurrection. It brings special messages for us, in its capacity of going in any direction; the only creature that can stop while traveling at full speed and the only bird that can fly backwards as well as forwards, up and down.

Frida had a special connection with this bird. She painted her eyebrows in the arc of the wings of the hummingbird, perhaps identifying herself with the extraordinary life skills of this colourful, tiny and vulnerable bird with the heart of an eagle. The logo is set in a stamp which fits the idea of the kolibri being a messenger… 

Why Sisters of Frida?

We took a long time deliberating on a name. We are disabled women but that is not our only identity – we are also embracing the whole package of being women and disabled. And we believe strongly in the social model of disability. We want to celebrate the difference of being of different ethnic origins, different cultures and nationalities, of different sexual orientation, of being mums, having partners and being single women. We are creative and our creativeness is born from our identities – of the very pain of being impaired and disabled at times. But we are not victims.

Hence we found a role model in Frida Kahlo. She is not one immediately associated with disability and yet her art was filled with images of the crippled body. She was also an activist and she wanted a life full of love, of relationships. In her art we also glimpse the dark landscape of her mental health in the aftermath of still births and in her stormy relationship with Diego Riveria.

We can strive to live our lives as full as she did