Some social clubs use the size and accessibility of their spaces to offer something for the community that no other local venues or facilities can. In the case of Elmfield Social Club, this is a highly successful weekly disabled disco every Wednesday night that brings people from all over the North East. The evening has proven so popular – and public provision is so lacking – that local councils often contact the Club’s Secretary to ask if they can refer residents. This space has allowed disabled adults in the area to socialise and build new, lasting connections, with some even becoming life partners.

The disability disco night started when a local parent with a disabled adult son couldn’t find anywhere for him to socialise. She reached out to the club, and now every week, with the support of the committee, adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities and access needs can meet and socialise together in the club.

Without external funding, the club has taken voluntary measures to become even more accessible and inclusive. With the weekly disabled disco and a number of regular members who are wheelchair users, the club has used its own funds to enhance accessibility, including offering disabled-accessible toilets and adapting tables to comfortably accommodate wheelchairs.

Elmfield Social Club isn’t just using its space to create events for its members or the wider community, it’s creating the conditions for excluded people who wouldn’t typically interact to come together in a safe and accessible space. Hosting the disabled disco also benefits the club from bar sales, and has increased membership by bringing in new people to use the club across the week.