Accessibility at St. Peter’s in the City

Everyone is welcome here at St Peter’s. We have probably not thought of everything. If you would like to come but are concerned about a particular issue, please let us know and we will do our best to give you information, or change things where we can.

You are welcome. Be yourself and don’t worry.

Physical Issues

The main way in to the church is from St Peter’s Street, down the pathway opposite BHS and in through 2 sets of heavy double doors which can take some strength to push. This is a level path. We are currently not using this way in on Sundays.

There is also a side door from St Peter’s Churchyard (the road to the side of the church). If you park in the disabled bays on this road, this is probably your shortest/easiest way in. You may have to negotiate around parked cars to reach the door. This will be open for the Sunday morning service

There is a long ramp down to access the main body of the church, on the right hand side of the church (when looking at the front), for those who need to avoid steps. There is space for wheelchairs here on the end of the rows.

There is a lift to access the first floor (which is not usually used for services.)

There is a disabled toilet on the ground floor. There is a wall-mounted changing table suitable for children up to 3.5 years old, and weighing up to 50lbs.

There is an induction loop in the church, accessible by putting your hearing aid on ‘T’ setting.

There are large print versions of the service leaflet and newsletter available (printed on yellow paper).

Other Concerns: (including Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, LD)

Please let us know if there are particular areas of concern for you and we will be happy to explore together how we can accommodate you.

If you need a break

If you need to take a break, that’s fine. You can go in and out of the service when you need to.

There is a sofa at the back right hand side of church behind a screen, if you need to be away from people but still want to be in church and listen.

Inside there is a lounge area. To get to it, walk to the very back of the church and turn left. If this area is being used for toddlers, there is a meeting room just off this which you are welcome to use.

Children

Children (up to teenagers) usually go upstairs together for most of the service. It is fine for adults to go with them to help them settle in. There is usually a bible story and crafts and active games.

It can be noisy and you are welcome to use ear defenders.

It is fine to go back downstairs to parents in church if needed.

There is free wifi in church. If your child needs to use a tablet and headphones to help them stay in one place, that’s fine.

If your child needs to eat or drink in church, that’s fine. Foods that are low crumb/low noise appreciated if this is possible. There is a bin at the front left hand side of church.

When there is communion, children go together to the front after the adults. They have crackers and juice to remember Jesus sharing a meal with his friends.

What to expect in a Sunday morning service.

Be yourself and enjoy it. Nothing bad will happen if you “get it wrong”. You are welcome. This is just to let you know what usually happens so you can feel prepared. If you would find it easier to meet with a friendly person outside church and go in with them, please contact us here or telephone 01332 360790 and we’ll arrange this.

You are welcome whether you believe in Jesus, believe something else, believe nothing or are not sure what you believe.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions a short service of Holy Communion now starts at 10.15 am.
Please book in by 12 noon on the Friday before the Sunday on which you wish to attend. If you have internet access, free booking is via the Eventbrite website, using this link: https://stpetersderby.eventbrite.co.uk. For those without internet access, booking is by calling the Church Office (01332 360790). Please leave a message and we will book you in.
Please tell us if you are coming with others from your household. We need to collect name, address and phone details and keep them for 21 days in case we have to provide a list of attendees for track and trace purposes. The church building is now equipped with automatic hand sanitisers – just hold your hands underneath them!

When you arrive, someone will probably say hello and give you a copy of a service leaflet and a newsletter. All the words you will need are in the leaflet.

You can sit wherever you like on the socially-distanced chairs in main part of the church. (Nobody sits on the side benches near the altar at the very front). If you want more space you might choose the chairs by the tables near the back. If you will need to move around then the back is fine, or you might choose to sit on the end of one of the rows to one side.

People will be sitting quietly and wearing face masks before the service begins.

Music is played usually on a piano, guitar and sometimes other instruments, with singers. This is played through speakers in the church.

Once the service starts, people go back to their seats and sit down. There is usually a welcome and then a song. You can see the words in the service sheet. Usually the words in bold are words everyone says together. It is fine to join in with this. It is fine not to join in.

People may stand up and sit down at different times. You can copy everyone else or you can stay sitting if you prefer.

Usually there will be a mixture of things people say from the front, things everyone says together, but, sadly, no singing at this time.

Sometimes people in the main congregation will be asked to talk to each other. It is fine to join in with this, but it is also fine if you do not want to. You could say “I’ll just listen, thanks”.

At some point there might be “sharing the peace”. People will stand up and move around the church. They might shake hands with people they do not know well, or hug people they do know well. It is fine to join in, and it is fine to remain seated and look at the service sheet if you prefer to be left alone.

A plate for an offering of money will be available at the back. You can put in some money if you want but it is fine not to.

During Communion bread will be brought to you in your place. We are not drinking wine at this time. If you want to join in but do not normally take communion, you can keep your hands together at this point. Someone will pray a blessing for you.

And finally…here are some pictures of the church to help you get a feel for what the building is like and what you’ll see on a Sunday morning.

The view as you first walk into church
Church as seen from the back.
Another view of church from further back. Occasionally the chairs are moved differently, but they are usually like this.
An example of the kind of leaflets you might get when you arrive. The left one has all the words in it for the service. The right one is a newsletter.
Tables towards the back can be useful to sit at if you think you might need to move around or have more space.
The ramp is to the right as you come in the main entrance. The music group are at the right side of the front of the church.
You can use the sofa at the back of church if you like, until the end of the service when it is used for prayer.
To find the toilets, go to the back of church and turn left.
There is also a changing table in the disabled toilet
The breakout area is sometimes used for toddlers. Sometimes it’s available as a quiet space. To find it, go to the back of church and turn left.
The conference room, off the breakout area, is usually available as quiet space.
There is a lift to the first floor.
The children normally meet upstairs. Here is the hall where the children do their activities.
Drinks are served at the end of the service.