Tewkesbury Access Forum

18/10/2026

♿👁Tewkesbury Access Walk Results 🚶‍♂️♿️

The Stats:
• 63.6% faced hazardous uneven pavements & potholes.

• 27.3% encountered steep kerbs & restrictive gates.

• 22.7% were blocked by shop A-boards & clutter.

Our Mission:
We are taking this data straight to Gloucestershire County Council Highways and local business groups to clear street clutter, fix pavements, and unlock public spaces like The Ham for everyone! ♿❤️

12/10/2026

🌱Wow… look at how we are growing! 🌱

When our amazing founder, Liz Peché, started the Access Forum (TAF) back in April 2025, it came from a very clear, shared goal: to break down the everyday access barriers that stop people from fully enjoying our beautiful, historic town centre.

What began as a small group of passionate volunteers has blossomed into a wonderful, ever-expanding community! Today, we bring together residents with lived experience, local councillors, and supportive businesses—all working side-by-side to make Tewkesbury more inclusive for everyone.

Thanks to your incredible support, we keep growing in impact. From running our community access walks to securing crucial backing from the Neighbourhood Fund to build our upcoming accessible routes map, the momentum is amazing. 🚀

Want to grow with us? Come along to our next meeting!

Whether you have lived experience of disability, want to advocate for a more accessible town, or represent a local business looking to improve, your voice is incredibly valuable.

📅 When: Tuesday, 10th November 2026 at 11:00 am
📍 Where: The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
⏱️ Duration: Approx. 2 hours

There is no need to book ahead—feel free to just turn up on the day! If you have any specific access requirements or questions beforehand, drop us a message here or email us at [email protected].

Let’s keep working together to make accessibility an everyday reality in Tewkesbury. See you there! 💙

08/10/2026

01/10/2026

Exciting new independent shops have arrived in Tewkesbury—and their owners have been willing to talk with us about access. The town’s 380 listed buildings are among its most popular attractions, but their historic status can limit the alterations that can be made. Although not every listed building can be fully accessible, these historic buildings are also central to Tewkesbury’s charm. By raising awareness and working together, we can make practical changes that help Tewkesbury become a more inclusive destination for unique finds. Dita’s Bistro Tewkesbury provides a ramp on request and has added a doorbell for visitors who need assistance—a simple but effective approach. Tewkesbury Access Forum welcomes , and as well as Catherine and Richard
Which new independent shop are you looking forward to visiting?

27/09/2026

⚠️ ACCESSIBILITY HAZARD ALERT ⚠️

We need to talk about the state of dropped curbs in Tewkesbury.

For individuals using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, getting out and about is a statement of independence. However, achieving that confidence to navigate the town requires pavements that are actually safe.

Right now, many of our dropped curbs are doing the exact opposite. Too often, they are steep, uneven, and built with a difficult camber. Instead of providing freedom, they expose disabled and elderly residents to sudden, terrifying vulnerability.

This isn't just an inconvenience—it is highly dangerous. A poorly designed curb can cause a scooter or wheelchair to overbalance in seconds.

Just recently, a local resident’s husband was tipped completely off his mobility scooter right here on the dropped curb shown in this photo. It takes away a person's hard-earned confidence and highlights just how vulnerable our community members are made to feel by poor infrastructure.

We are urging everyone to stay vigilant. If you come across a hazardous, steep, or damaged curb, please do not ignore it. Report it immediately to help protect our community.

👉 How to report street and pavement hazards:You can log the exact location and upload photos directly to the Gloucestershire County Council Highways Portal or use the FixMyStreet website.

Let’s work together to restore confidence and remove these hazards from Tewkesbury. ♿️

25/09/2026

Fancy helping out as our volunteer Treasurer?

It’s a practical role that helps keep everything running smoothly, from maintaining simple financial records and paying invoices to providing monthly updates and helping with the year-end figures. A great way to support the group and make a real difference!
If you’d be interested in joining us, please let us know on [email protected]

21/09/2026

Unlock Independence with a RADAR Key! 🔑✨

Did you know that a RADAR key gives disabled people and anyone with a health condition independent access to thousands of locked public toilets across the UK? For many in our community, it is the difference between enjoying a day out in Tewkesbury or having to cut a trip short.

🚽 Why get a RADAR Key?

Independence: Access accessible facilities without needing to track down staff or ask for a key.

Cleanliness & Safety: Keeps designated toilets locked to the general public so they remain clean, functioning, and available for those who truly need them.

National Coverage: One key works in thousands of locations nationwide, including shopping centres, parks, and train stations.

Local Use: It even opens specific accessible gates around town, like the one at the Severn Ham! (Though as we noted on our recent accessibility walk, we still have work to do to make navigating these gates smoother for mobility scooter users!)

🛒 How to get one: If you have a visible or non-visible disability, you are eligible to purchase a key. You can easily order one online from official retailers like or Rights UK. Also available from online retailers such as Amazon and Ebay.

Let's keep working together to make Tewkesbury a town where accessibility is valued as part of everyday life! 💙 https://tewkesburyaccessforum.co.uk/ 📧

Want to get involved with our ongoing accessibility projects? Drop us an email at [email protected]!

14/09/2026

🏠 Moving to Tewkesbury When You Have a Disability
Moving house is a big change for anyone. But when you have a disability, moving to a new town like Tewkesbury can involve a whole extra level of planning.
It isn't simply about finding a house you can afford. You need to find somewhere that allows you to live your life.
For someone with CFS/ME or another energy-limiting condition, house hunting can be incredibly demanding. Travelling to viewings, walking around unfamiliar areas, climbing stairs, waiting for buses or visiting several properties in one day can use up limited energy very quickly.
For a wheelchair user, there are other questions:
♿ Can I get into the property independently?
🚪 Are the entrances and internal doorways accessible?
🛁 Is there an accessible bathroom?
🅿️ Is there suitable parking?
🏡 Could adaptations be made if needed?
But the property is only part of the picture.
What is the surrounding area like?
🚌 Transport
Can you get into Tewkesbury town centre? Are there accessible bus services? How close are the bus stops? Can you reach nearby towns and essential services without relying entirely on a car?
🏥 Healthcare
Where is your GP? How accessible is the surgery? Where are the nearest pharmacies, dentists, hospitals and other medical services? If you already receive specialist care, how easy will it be to travel to appointments?
🛒 Everyday essentials
Can you reach shops and supermarkets? Are there dropped kerbs and accessible crossings? Are pavements wide enough and in good condition? Are there places to rest if walking is difficult?
🏘️ Getting around town
Tewkesbury has historic streets and buildings, which can create particular accessibility challenges. A route that looks short on a map might be much harder when using a wheelchair, walking aid or dealing with limited energy.
☕ Building a new life
Moving somewhere isn't just about accessing essential services. It's also about finding places where you can meet people, enjoy yourself and feel part of your new community.
And there is an emotional side too.
When you move to an area you don't know, you have to learn everything from scratch — accessible routes, transport, shops, healthcare, parking, places to rest and which local services can help.
For disabled people, accessibility isn't a luxury or an afterthought. It can determine whether a new home actually feels like a home.
A property might be perfect on paper, but if you can't get to the shops, attend appointments, access public transport or enjoy your local community, then the location may not work for you.
💜 Moving to a new town should be the beginning of a new chapter — not the beginning of a battle to access it.
What would you want to know before moving to a new area with a disability?
Share your experiences below. Your advice could help someone else make one of life's biggest decisions.