Across the UK, community centres are the heartland of social support, a space for education, recreation and everything in between. From churches and settlement houses to village halls, these vital hubs bring people together from all walks of life, and in more ways than one, they are a home away from home.
The adage says the kitchen is the hub of the home, and within the four walls of your community centre, this saying holds especially true. The kitchen is a place where meals are prepared, events are catered, and communities gather. But here’s a question: is your community centre’s kitchen accessible to everyone?
An accessible kitchen is not just about ticking boxes from a safety or legal standpoint, it’s about being inclusive, and ensuring that everyone — regardless of any mobility or cognitive impairments — can participate and contribute to what your centre has to offer.
The more inclusive and accessible your centre is, the more diverse and vibrant your community becomes.
At Steelplan Kitchens, we understand the nuances involved in designing semi-commercial kitchens that are fit for purpose and combine accessibility with function and aesthetics. This guide is here to take you through the process of designing your kitchen for different accessibility needs and help you think about creating a kitchen space for your community centre that truly serves all members.
How can I design a kitchen for elderly users?
When designing kitchens for the elderly, it’s crucial to understand both their physical needs alongside the vital importance of social connection and a “sense of belonging” provided by community centres.
According to the State of Ageing 2020 report by the Centre for Ageing Better, by 2036, one in four of the UK’s population will be aged 65 or over. Likewise:
- Regular volunteering – particularly when informal – is most common among older age groups.
- The proportion of people who feel they belong to their neighbourhood increases with age.
From the report, we can infer that as people age community centres become lifelines, offering regular opportunities for social interaction, engagement, and purpose in later life. What’s more, it suggests that the proportion of not only volunteers but also those most likely to regularly use community centres are the elderly. An accessible kitchen, therefore, plays a pivotal role, serving as a hub for communal activities that combat loneliness and isolation.
Another report by Ageing Better, “Home and Dry: The Need for Decent Homes in Later Life,” states that up to 4.3 million homes in England – almost half of which are occupied by someone aged 55 and over – do not currently meet basic standards of decency. That’s around 17% of the total 25.2 million homes in England. According to The Decent Home Standard, while the definition of a “non-decent” home includes vital requirements such as efficient heating and insulation, one notable point they make is around accessibility, particularly kitchen-specific features, such as reasonably modern facilities (e.g., a kitchen that is 20 years old or less).
When the kitchen at your community centre is accessible, you’re not just improving one space in terms of safety; you’re providing a vital resource for those who may currently lack the right facilities at home.
With this in mind, here are some key considerations when designing a kitchen that meets the physical needs of the elderly, so you can create a safe space for them to get involved:
- Accessible appliances: They are vital for those with impaired vision, reduced strength or dexterity challenges. It’s recommended to choose ovens, hobs and appliances with large, easy-to-read controls, potentially bumpons, tactile buttons, clear markings and simple operation.
- Audio feedback, large screens and clear viewing windows are just as important.
- Fridge freezers? Consider those with large handles, built-in alarms and internal lighting.
- Non-slip flooring is important to prevent accidents and ensure safety for all users – not just the elderly.
- Lower high cabinets and pull-down baskets make storage more accessible. Pull-out larders, for example, minimise reaching, bending and/or crouching.
What about designing a semi-commercial kitchen for wheelchair users?
In the Ageing Better “Home and dry: The need for decent homes in later life” report cited above they note that 15% of all wheelchair users of all ages live in a non-decent home. So, it stands to reason that some of the most important adaptations you can make when designing your community centre’s kitchen for accessibility is bearing in mind the requirements of wheelchair users.
You will need to consult an expert about the practicalities of conforming to the Disability Discrimination Act in your specific kitchen space. Such considerations may include:
- Turning circles of wheelchairs
- Worktop heights
- Opening angle for hinged cupboards
- Accessible storage
Steelplan’s kitchen design experts are highly familiar with the relevant legislation, and are perfectly placed to advise what is possible for your kitchen space, and how to make your kitchen design comply with the requirements for the disabled, without discriminating against the able-bodied.
It’s also worth noting that accessible kitchens do not need to feel clinical. At Steelplan Kitchens’ our semi-commercial units come in 18 different flavours so you can add a splash or two of colour to your community centre’s kitchen.
How can I design a kitchen for those with a sensory impairment?
Whether, hearing, vision, touch or smell – sensory impairments should always be considered when designing a truly accessible kitchen.
While it would always be best to evaluate your community’s individual needs and requirements — as there are many disabilities to take into account — here are a few things to keep in mind when designing for those with sensory impairment:
- Lighting is key: Bright, even lighting and reduced glare are important to help users of all disabilities navigate a kitchen safely. Lighting plays a key role in heightening comfort for those with hearing loss.
- Contrasting colours for countertops, cabinets, and appliances make it easier for sight-impaired users to distinguish between surfaces.
- For individuals who are hard of hearing or use assistive devices, noise matters. While it may not be possible to eliminate loud noise from appliances like extraction fans or the echoes from specific types of surfaces, incorporating sound absorbers into the kitchen design can significantly improve the experience, especially in larger spaces.
Accessibility legislation for community centres
For your community centre, there are two main pieces of legislation that might apply to the design and functionality of your kitchen.
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 and Building Regulations Part M mandate that public spaces, including community centres, must be accessible to all users. Equally, your local authority’s ‘access officers’ may also have indicated requirements for a similar kitchen to yours.
The extent of accessibility modifications may depend on your specific type of community centre and size of room. For instance, historic buildings may have less stringent requirements to preserve their character, but reasonable adjustments are still expected for public-facing areas.
In any case, Steelplan design consultants have the experience to help you navigate your responsibilities as well as the skills and expertise to design an accessible community centre kitchen.
The Steelplan advantage
At Steelplan Kitchens, we specialise in semi-commercial kitchens which are the perfect balance between being durable in a commercial sense, and warm and welcoming in a domestic one. Our kitchens are made from polyester powder-coated mild steel, offering durability, easy cleaning, and hygiene benefits, while being customisable in a wide array of colours to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
With over 20 years of experience and hundreds of community centre, village hall, and church kitchen installations under our belt, we can guide you through every step of the process. Our free ‘Design and Consultation’ service even provides a computer-aided 3D visualisation of your new kitchen based on your space and requirements—a unique offering that can help you make a very informed decision.
Designing an accessible kitchen is about creating a space that welcomes everyone, both now and in the future. It’s about finding the right balance between accessibility, functionality, as well as aesthetics – and that’s where Steelplan Kitchens can give you advice.
If you’re considering your accessibility requirements for a semi-commercial kitchen in your community centre, we’re here to help. You can arrange a design consultation by reaching out to us online or by calling 020 8254 0090.
