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Access

The Aashna community is committed to making sure everyone feels welcome. We believe access is a community responsibility, where we support each other and visitors with any access needs. We are a member of the UK Government Disability Confident scheme - committed (Level 1).​

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If you'd like to discuss any access requirements before you visit Aashna, please contact your therapist or the Aashna team info@aashna.uk to arrange a time to speak so that we can make sure your needs are catered for as far as possible. 

 

If you need any assistance while you're here, ask your therapist, a member of the Creative Team or community; we're happy to help.

An image of the Aashna practice from the street

Address & Opening Hours

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Aashna Counselling & Psychotherapy, 1 Castle Mews, Castle Road, London N12 9EH

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  • Monday - Friday 8.00am - 9.00pm

 

  • Weekends flexible depending on therapist bookings and events.

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Transport 

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Car

 

  • There is a drop off area, right outside our front entrance.

 

 

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Bus

 

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Underground

 

  • Woodside Park Station, Northern Line, High Barnet Branch (0.7 miles) â€‹â€‹

    • The Northbound platform entrance (next to Abbetta Cars Taxis) towards High Barnet is at the end of Station Road, off Holden Road.  From North Finchley High Road (Stop H) the bus 221 to Argyle Road / Avenendale Avenue (Stop RR) is 0.4 miles to Woodside Park and vice versa. 

    • The main entrance, Southbound towards Central London/Morden has the ticket office. It is at the end of Woodside Park Road, a cul-de-sac next to the car park. Outside the station from (Stop L) the 383 bus is a short ride to North Finchley Bus station, followed by a short walk to Aashna at Castle Mews and vice versa. 

    • Both platforms are wheelchair accessible from the street. Each platform has its own entrance/exit. There is no step-free platform interchange between platforms. Step-free interchange requires a 0.4 mile journey via street. 

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  • Finchley Central Station, Northern Line, High Barnet Branch (1.3 miles).​

    • A short distance to bus stop Finchley Central Station, Stop C. Buses 125, 13, 460, SL10 to stop North Finchley Bus station. SL10 is the fastest one. Then, take a short walk to Aashna at Castle Mews.

    • Lift access and raised platforms both north- and southbound, mini ramps available. Choose exit: Chaville Way/Ballards Lane (Main station entrance/exit).

 

 

 

 

  • London boroughs offer the Taxi Card scheme for those finding it difficult to use public transport. 

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Building

 

Aashna’s ground floor:

 

  • has a step-free entrance with ramp and handrail.

 

  • entrance doors are not automated and heavy for some people. If you have any difficulty, use the door bell and your therapist or a community member will offer assistance. 

 

  • kitchen is not wheelchair accessible. We ask Aashna therapists and community to support access to refreshments.  

 

  • reception and therapy rooms are accessible to wheelchairs up to the width of 80 cm.  

 

  • toilet is accessible for wheelchair users

    • with mobility using handrails or personal assistance. 

    • with wheelchairs up to 73 cm in width and 130 cm in length. 

 

  • is accessible to scooters up to the width of 80 cm which can be left outside the toilet or in the reception area.   

 

Aashna’s first floor rooms are not accessible to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility due to a compact spiral staircase. 

 

Accessible Rooms

 

Nakuru and Beauly are our ground-floor rooms.

 

Nakuru 

 

  • is accessible to wheelchairs up to 80 cm in width. The room width is 145 cm. 

 

  • is a flexible space with a wheeled adjustable ergonomic chair and a folding chair that can be moved with ease to support wheelchair access. 

 

Beauly 

 

  • is Aashna’s largest therapy room which can accommodate wheelchairs up to 80 cm in width.

 

  • can be requested for accessibility by emailing info@aashna.uk.  We request 2-3 weeks to arrange this.

An image of the entrance to the toilet with a sliding door, small ramp and grab handles
An image of the toilet with accessibility toilet rails

Toilet

 

Aashna’s toilet situated on the ground floor:

 

  • is not a fully accessible toilet for all due to a structural wall. 

 

  • is accessible for wheelchair users

    • with mobility using handrails or personal assistance. 

    • with wheelchairs up to 73 cm in width and 130 cm in length. 

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 The nearest fully accessible and changing places toilets are:

 

   

 

 

  • Other accessible toilets can be found searching: 

    • Public Toilet Map. 

    • Changing Places. Changing Places Toilets enable anyone, regardless of their disability, to go to the shops, attend hospital appointments, enjoy community life, socialise and travel. All the things that most of us take for granted every day. Changing Places toilets should be provided in addition to standard accessible toilets. 

 

Access sensory impairments & neurodivergence 

 

Access for sensory impairments and neurodivergence will be our next focus.

 

Whilst we develop this we ask therapists and clients with sensory/neurodivergent access needs to email info@aashna.uk.

 

Anti-ablest practice

 

Anti-ableist practice at Aashna stems from our ethos of how our lived experience is central to our change. We encourage ongoing exploration of our ableism in order to support the growth of anti-ableist practice. Aashna’ Learning Community offers space for these explorations with colleagues. Aashna's Handbook offers resources for self-study. On a practical level, anti-ableist practice means offering creative ways to support clients and colleagues at Aashna. We encourage communication if you need assistance on room set-up, ventilation, carrying drinks, tidying up, opening doors etc. so that, as a therapist, you feel able and supported to see clients. 

 

Likewise, we encourage therapists to learn from their clients what welcoming adjustments support the client to attend the sessions. We encourage you to communicate how your practice is committed to anti-ableism and is accessible to your clients on your website, directory listings and your client contract.

 

Flexibility when working with long-term disability and illness


If you’re a therapist working with long-term disability and illness and need flexibility (e.g. reasonable adjustments) to accommodate your practice at Aashna, please consider open communication (disclosure) with Aashna Creative team members at the point of contracting your practice or in the event of changes in your condition.

 

On a practical level, you might consider hybrid working, assisted travel schemes (listed in Aashna's Handbook) to support commuting to Aashna, timings of your therapy sessions etc. The Creative team is willing to support your practice. If you’re working with a client whose long-term disability or illness needs further adjustments to your practice (e.g. longer session times, space for PA, physical assistance), Aashna is open to exploring with you how to make adjustments.

 

Community Learning Days, Groups & Events

 

Aashna Community Learning Days, Groups & Events accommodate access needs. Please share any access needs on your event booking or by emailing info@aashna.uk so we can arrange a time to speak to explore how we can support you. 

 

Infection control

 

To keep Aashna safe for all clients and therapists, we aim to keep good ventilation in community gatherings, and encourage the use of air-purifiers in the therapy rooms and ventilate the rooms between clients. Please maintain good hand-hygiene and consider not working in person if you are unwell.

 

Dietary requirements and safety

 

We prepare and share food at Aashna gatherings. All food is vegetarian. If you have severe allergies or intolerances, please let us know in advance. Otherwise, please ask about the food on the day and look after yourself.

 

Guide Dogs And Assistance Dogs 

 

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome during therapy sessions. Please let your therapist know and contact info@aashna.uk in advance so we can ensure the community is aware. 

 

For most events, guide and assistance dogs are welcome. However, on occasion, this may not be possible due to the content or format of the event. Please contact info@aashna.uk in advance if you would like to bring an assistance dog to an event so we can explore this with you. 

 

Personal Assistants 

 

If you require a personal assistant to attend, Aashna has a waiting area and there are coffee shops nearby to wait in comfort during a therapy session or event.  Where appropriate, personal assistants are welcome to support you in-person following  discussion and mutual agreement with your therapist or the Aashna Creative team. 

 

Access Resources 

 

To help therapists and clients with accessibility:
 

  • Inclusion Barnet is a local charity that offers information, advice and support  for any benefits applications. Their waiting list is long, but they are worth contacting.

  • Access to Work is a government support scheme to offer travel and workplace-related support. Be prepared to complete the online application at once.

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