Relaxed at the Coffin Works
Our Relaxed experience has been developed with one of our museum volunteers who is on the Autistic spectrum.
A place to be yourself
At the Coffin Works, we love to welcome everyone and we want you all to enjoy your experience of the museum in whichever way you are most comfortable.
How is the Coffin Works autism-friendly?
We operate a hybrid entry model here at the Coffin Works. One option is to head round with a guide who will engage with you and share all the information. We know this doesn’t work for everyone so you can now also go round self-guided.
Our self-guided entry enables you to explore the museum at your own pace and engage with the volunteers as much or as little as you like. You’ll receive a free booklet with introductory information about each room and you can bypass the loud machinery demonstrations if you desire.
You can also use our extensive Mobile Tour to find out as much information as you want about each room. This Mobile Tour is accessed via scanning a QR code which then opens a webpage on your mobile device (don’t worry, our Front of House can tell you the link if you don’t have a QR code scanner). We recommend you bring your own headphones as there are some interesting videos on there.
We recommend that it takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to explore, depending on how much you interact with the volunteers and/or the Mobile Tour. However, we encourage you to take as long as you like!
All areas of the museum are wheelchair accessible.
Preparing for your visit
Below is a short film designed to give you a preview of the factory tour, room by room, and a description of the facilities, to help you prepare for your visit.
Head down to our pre-visit gallery if you’d prefer to just see images of the rooms.
We have also provided this and further information as a downloadable PDF which you can download here: Relaxed at the Coffin Works pre-visit guide.
Parking
There is paid on-street parking around the museum (free on Sundays). There are currently a few road diversions around the area, so add a few extra minutes to your journey time!
Noise in the Factory
In the museum there are sound effects and music such as tannoy announcements, a clocking-in machine and sewing machines. These will all be set at a fairly low volume.
When you are in the Stamp Room, we will operate the Drop Stamp machines for anyone who wants to see them in action. The Stamp Room volunteer will pre-warn you when they are about to operate the machinery and are very understanding if anyone needs to step out of the room at this point.
The stamps are very noisy and screechy. Below is a film of volunteer Cornellius operating the machines for you to watch at home if you prefer. Please adjust your own volume level and enjoy!
See you soon!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Coffin Works soon.
For more inspiration and good ideas visit Autism Links
What is our 'Relaxed' experience?
Our Relaxed experience is a factory tour which has been designed specifically for people on the Autistic Spectrum and their families. It is also suitable for those with additional learning, sensory or communication needs.
Relaxed tours
- Relaxed tours must be arranged in advance so please contact us to enquire
- newmanbrothers@coffinworks.org
- 0121 233 4785
- Group admission prices apply: £9 per person
- Minimum of 5 people for a group Relaxed tour
- Necessary companions or carers have free entry (1 per paid entry, unless specified)
As an alternative to our autism-friendly self-guided entry, we do offer a specialised Relaxed experience for groups. This is a factory tour designed specifically for people on the Autistic Spectrum and their families. It is also suitable for people with additional learning, sensory or communication needs.
How are Relaxed tours specialised?
We have adapted the environment by reducing noise levels and making some of our machinery demonstrations optional rather than standard. The drop stamps will be operated at the end of the tour for those who wish to experience them in action.
Group sizes are smaller and we provide a quiet room for those who need some space during the tour.
Our tour guide and front of house volunteers are trained in, or have experience of, the Autistic Spectrum.
We time our Relaxed experience for when the museum is at it’s quietest point in terms of other visitors.
Most importantly, there will be a relaxed atmosphere where you can learn and enjoy discovering our wonderful ‘time-capsule’ factory together as a family or with friends.
The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
All areas of the museum are wheelchair accessible.
