The Mobiloo has arrived in Gloucestershire
The Mobiloo is the first of its kind in the country, offering a safe and clean changing and toilet facility to meet the needs of all disabled people in Gloucestershire and beyond (and their Carers or Personal Assistants), within a mobile van. It has been 18 months in production and will be making its first outing in Gloucestershire at the free family event ‘Paws in the Park’, this Sunday, the 3rd of August from 11 am.
Janice Peacey, of Cheltenham Borough Council commented “We always try hard to ensure our events are accessible to everyone. Having the Mobiloo at Paws in the Park this year will be a big step towards being completely accessible”.
Philip Douch, of Active Impact commented ‘It’s great to see the Mobiloo out and about in Gloucestershire for the first time. I hope that it will soon become a must-have at public events across the county’.
Most disabled people want to live life no differently from anyone else. They want to be able to go shopping, enjoy the countryside, go out to eat, work, and enjoy life, but they live in a world designed primarily for people without physical impairments.
For many disabled people adequate toilet facilities are an important factor when planning a day out. If they cannot walk or stand, they may still be unable to use even the standard specialist accessible toilets that are sometimes provided. They may need support from one or two carers or personal assistants to use the toilet or to have their incontinence pad changed. Standard specialist accessible toilets rarely provide changing tables or hoists.
The absence of appropriate facilities can impact on whole families. Social activities and days out have to be planned down to the smallest detail to fit around a stop at suitable changing facilities or to get back home after only a few hours. The most intrepid may have ventured out to festivals or camping trips – but then often have to find a discreet area in a field or a dirty toilet floor instead of the dignified facilities we should all be entitled to. The Mobiloo recognises this gap in facilities for disabled people. Its unique, mobile facility offers the right of access to the more rural locations, festivals, activities and events in Gloucestershire.
Over the next few months the Mobiloo will be making appearances at events and venues across Gloucestershire as part of its marketing launch. From the autumn it can be hired by families, charities, organisations and events on either a self drive basis or driven by volunteer driver attendants.
If you want to come along and see the Mobiloo in action or are a dog lover who has never been able to make it to events like ‘Paws in the Park’ due to your disability or caring responsibility, then come along this Sunday from 11am. You can find more information on the Cheltenham Borough Council website, or on the Paws in the Park Cheltenham Facebook page.
Eve Qureshi
Marketing and Development Manager
mobilooglos@gmail.com
www.mobiloo.org.uk
Tel: 07860 645865