Where?:
Forge has monthly meets at the same venue, on occasion we may have funding to run additional events, and if there is ever an event held at a different venue this will be announced beforehand.
Our current venue is in the city centre accessible by numerous bus routes and bus stops within a short distance. The nearest rail line is 500m away.
Please email for more info/directions.
General physical accessibility:
Parking:
There are five car parks on the surrounding University of Manchester campus with a mixture of permit and public parking.
The nearest car park is UoM Car Park D, Booth Street West. The postcode for this car park is M15 6FH and access is via Higher Cambridge Street.
Accessible parking spots are also available on Bridgeford Street. There is a barrier next to UoM Car Park D, Booth Street West (access via Higher Cambridge Street). At the intercom, tell the attendant that you are using accessible parking and turn left past the barrier. There is also accessible parking at Manchester Aquatics Centre car park.
Meetings:
Our meetings typically take place on a floor that is accessible via two lifts.
In the case of a fire, a refuge spaces for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility is located on each floor of the building.
D/deaf visitors:
The reception desk of our venue has a hearing loop fitted.
Blind or partially sighted visitors:
Guide and assistance animals are welcome.
On server image descriptions:
We encourage our community to ensure image descriptions are provided for images they post to help involve all users in a conversation equally. We are unable to commit to ensuring image descriptions are provided on all images posted on the server, as committee members are not looking at the server at all times, and cannot control what all members do.
If the committee has a need to post an image in an official capacity, then we commit to ensuring an image description is provided.
How we accommodate neurodiversity:
The building offers a ‘phased’ arrival into multi-purpose activity spaces, as there is a corridor or lobby before entering each space. The library, lobbies and office spaces provide smaller spaces to be in a quiet environment. Where the space allows, we offer a quiet zone where people can go to decompress where needed and are always clear this space is for this purpose and to not take phone calls etc in this space. Our meets are typically on the ground floor and we use the separate library room located on this floor for this purpose.
We are a judgement free group and have a variety of neurodivergent needs within our community that we always keep in mind and understand if people need to quietly step away to decompress.
The building rooms have various or adjustable light settings that we can adjust as needed and we will typically have the lights set on low light.
You are always most welcome to get the attention of a committee member if you would like us to be made aware of or want to discuss something with us. We will do our best wherever we can though please be mindful that the Forge committee are all volunteers and are not trained to handle complex situations.
A Trans Only Space:
Forge are committed to running the group on a by trans people, for trans people basis to ensure it will always remain a space that understands the trans experience.
For this reason we ask that all who are at our meets fall under the trans umbrella. If you have a carer/partner/family/friend who does not fall under this umbrella who needs to accompany you for the meet, then that is fine but we would appreciate being given a heads up.
We have a variety of gender expressions among us, people in varying stages of transition to people who have just begun to question. Please never feel you would not ‘look’ like you belong in our group or are not trans enough.
Assistance dogs:
Assistance dogs are welcome, and while the venue is pet friendly, we ask not to bring non assistance animals to the meet. Please let us know if an assistance dog will be accompanying you so we can announce beforehand there will be a dog with a job to do at the meet.
Faith spaces:
There are a number of smaller spaces across the venue that can be utilised for praying and reflection. Each floor has a number of washrooms available.
Medical Requirements:
You are welcome to bring any medicine, medical equipment, food or drink that helps you manage your medical condition.
Immunocompromised or chronically ill visitors:
Please be aware that we currently do not require masking at our meetings.
Each of the event spaces have a background ventilation system that automatically adjusts to occupancy levels. The ventilation system works by drawing fresh external air (without circulation) into the building. The system filters fresh air for breathing and removes internal pollutants, Both the Community Lounge and Training Room also have windows to boost ventilation.
Respect:
Be respectful, civil and polite. No transphobia, homophobia, racism, ableism, etc.
We ask spoiler tags or content warnings for any potentially sensitive content to be used.
Generally we operate a 3-strike system. This means if you break the rules, you will be warned twice before being banned. However, this will be at the committee’s discretion and immediate bans may be considered for more serious problematic behaviour.
Feedback:
Forge are committed to running the group on a by trans people, for trans people basis to ensure it will always remain a space that understands the trans experience.
Forge and our venue are committed to inclusion and to eliminating barriers that our visitors could be faced by.
If you have any further access needs that aren’t covered throughout or have any feedback for us, please email, message committee or make use of Voltaire (Anonymous messaging option in the ‘rules’ channel of our discord server).