Having been contacted about the services of AccessoLoo in December by Ifield School, Gravesend, a team from Northern Ireland paid a visit to them recently to showcase all the benefits of having a mobile changing places unit.
Following up on the initial enquiry from a senior staff member at Ifield, it was decided that the best way to get a true feel for a mobile AccessoLoo was to pay them a visit. A campaign that was started by a class of students in the school began the search for a solution to a problem that was dear to them all. Day trips and field visits by the school were extremely limited because of a lack of toileting provision around their area that would provide dignified facilities for the children that needed changing places equipment who attend Ifield. In particular, a local woodland area that is an integral part of school visits. It was the children themselves that began a writing campaign to local politicians and members of parliament, convincing the board of governors to authorise the search for a solution.
Kirsty Jewell, a senior team leader at the school contacted AccessoLoo to see if we could help. A trip from Northern Ireland to Gravesend in Kent was duly arranged and the class of the moment got to experience and use one of our AccessoLoos to gauge suitability. Staff members alike all came to see the AccessoLoo during the day, whilst others actually took it on a test drive.
“This will make such a difference to the school and all of our children having our very own AccessoLoo,” said Kirsty, adding “…having the independence to plan days out at the last minute and changing our destinations to suit the weather will be so liberating.”
As for our team, well we were absolutely bowled over by the campaign of the children, and our spirits were lifted by their determination to make school trips inclusive for all friends and classmates alike. Leaving them at the end of the trip we couldn’t help but feel emotional as they all came running to the school railings to wave us off.
However, on this occasion it was Au revoir rather than goodbye as we hope to see them again very soon when we deliver them their very own AccessoLoo!