Sometimes, everyone feels that they are not getting anywhere with things, especially when they have been trying so hard and for so long. That was what I felt like when I was trying to get a Changing Places toilet in Clydebank shopping centre.
Clydebank is
my local shopping centre, where I go a lot.
But it was getting difficult to go there because I couldn’t get the
toilet in the centre because I require a hoist to get to the toilet. I remember one time my Mum and myself asked at
the information desk if they had a hoist in the toilet, but sadly, they said
no. We thought it was terrible because
they just had a baby changing toilet installed but they didn’t have the right
disabled toilet. So, I decided I was going to get a Changing Places toilet
installed in Clydebank shopping centre.
It was back
in 2018 when I started campaigning. First
of all, I wrote a letter to the shopping centre with TAG‘s help and lucky enough
they got back to me quite quickly and asked to meet with me.
At the
meeting I explained my issues and how it would make such a difference if they
installed a Changing Places toilet to a lot of disabled people, including
myself. The manager seemed very positive that they could get a Changing Places
installed. This was a very good start, but little I did know that we had a long
road ahead!
After that
first meeting, I kept emailing them to see what was happening, but I just kept
getting same answer, that they were waiting for all of the planning to go ahead.
This took years! I was getting
frustrated. I know these things takes
while and it can’t happen overnight, but it is an important facility to have in
the centre.
In 2020 the
world closed down so; I knew that would hold everything back.
In summer
2022, I got email to say that Clydebank got the go ahead for the changing
places and I was delighted to hear it, but it took another year and half to
build it.
It was
summer last year when they finally started to build the toilet. I was so glad
to see it started. A few months later it
wasn’t finished and I started to wondering if it will ever open!
I kept
emailing the manager and I kept being told it was all ready, but it needed to
be officially signed off. Once again, I was very frustrated. Knowing it was
ready, but it couldn’t be used. Finally, on the Friday before Christmas, it
opened at last! I was emailing the
manager every day that week before Christmas, then on the Friday I heard that it
was open, so me and my Mum went straight
to Clydebank to see it.
That first
time that I saw the Changing Places I thought it was a fantastic facility and I
couldn’t believe that it was opened!
The facility
is next to shop ability. There is a
button you press and someone will come and open it. I know that some people
don’t like this way because they need to wait but, in my opinion, this is
better because it is locked so everyone can’t use it because this toilet
facility is for someone who requires a hoist or a changing bed.
Inside the
toilet, it is very big with a ceiling hoist and a changing bed. I know there is 1 hand bar but there should
be 2, but I know that Clydebank is getting this sorted with a couple more
things.
Having the Changing
Places in Clydebank now is so much better for a lot of disabled people and for
me personally. It means that I can go
to my local shopping centre and get to the toilet!
Even
although it took about 6 years, I am very proud of myself that I campaigned for
a Changing Places toilet in Clydebank, it is my great success!
If you wish
to get some more information on this or give feedback. All of my contact details is under contact me
on this Website.
Written by
Jill Clark
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