LEISUREZONE

Now this IS a relief! ‘New loos are SURFINGSURFING FOFO life-changing’

ADAY at the seaside or even just a trip to the shops is set to be transformed from a potential nightmare into a pleasure for thousands of people.

More than 500 life-enhancing Changing Places toilets – specialised facilities for severely disabled people – are to be built across England.

Forty-seven facilities are planned for the North West, including 15 in Merseyside and Cheshire.

The £23.5million investment will see toilets built in public parks and open spaces, tourist attractions including historic properties, seaside resorts and zoos, cathedrals, museums, theatres and galleries, shopping centres,

libraries and public buildings. Robert Burley, from Muscular Dystrophy UK, the charity that has campaigned for the facilities, said: “This is lifechanging news for thousands of people and families. ” In England, there are currently just over 1,300 registered CHANGING Places toilets, costing around £30-40K, are earmarked for: Liverpool, 4; Wirral, 3; Sefton, 3; Halton,3; Cheshire East, 1; Cheshire West, 1; Manchester, 6; Salford, 3; Stockport, 3; Tameside, 3; Oldham, 3; Wigan, 4; Blackpool, 4; Blackburn, 1; Bury, 3; Preston, 2.

Changing Places toilets – larger accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible facilities, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers.

The new Changing Places toilets will bring the total to 1,813.

Accessibility consultant Sarah Rennie, 36, has a muscle wasting condition, cannot walk and is a wheelchair user. She is supported by a personal assistant to use a hoist and access facilities in Changing Places toilets.

She said: “Changing Places toilets offer me – and my assistant – a safe and dignified alternative. It’s such a relief to know that there will be more of these throughout England which gives me a better chance to find a loo I can use and go about my day like everyone else. ” IAN BENNETT, from The Wave Project, explains how this unique UK charity ensures people with disabilities can surf side by side with friends and family.

“I feel like I’m on an equal footing when I’m in the water and on a board…I feel free and like everyone else who’s out there in the ocean. ”

“I like surfing, it’s cool and fun. Other people are doing it around me, and I’m doing it at the same time. It makes me feel like I’m one of them” . . .

These are words from keen surfers who have taken part in our uique surf therapy project.

Like the 5,000 other surfers who have joined our volunteers in the water since 2010, they’ve enjoyed the opportunity to build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

But there’s one key difference.

These surfers all have a physical disability that makes standing up on a board and surfing unassisted impossible.

Over the past five years, The Wave Project has seen a growing demand for surfing from people with a wide range of disabilities – from visual impairments and hip problems to cerebral palsy and people who have experienced strokes.

Last year, we supported 60 individual surfers using our adaptive equipment, and have worked with a range of different groups – from Tarka Otter Wheelchair Basketball Team to the Devon Stroke Association.

This has been possible by ensuring our volunteers and instructors have the necessary skills, training and specialist equipment to deliver safe and enjoyable su sessions from ourAdaptive Surfing Hub in Croyde, North Devon.

Eventually, this will also be the case at more and more of our projects across the U

Riding the waves with help from a unique charity

OROR EVERYONEEVERYONE

We reach people who are DIGITALLY EXCLUDED

Our specialist equipment includes beach wheelchairs, a large seated board and prone boards with handles to allow for a greater sense of independent surfing, as well as wetsuits with zips in the arms and legs to make changing easier and more comfortable. But it’s not a one-size fits all approach. Disability presents in many forms, and our aim is to ensure people with as many different types of disability are able to come surfing.

n Ian Bennett isAdaptive Surf Lead at The Wave Project. Contact him at: ianb@waveproject.co.uk n Tel. 01637 820830 n Check out the film,Victory of Determination at

www.waveproject.co.uk/adaptive-surfing

It began with George . . .

THE charity’s adaptive surfing story really started when we met a very special young man named George,

writes IAN BENNETT.

George was 10 at the time and had lived with severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy since birth. He is also visually impaired, has suffered from epilepsy from birth and has delayed learning issues.

Life can be tough for George: he’s spent much of his young years in and out of hospital and is unable to walk unaided.

His mother reached out to The Wave Project – she wanted to get George surfing, saying: “All of George’s friends surf, it’s part of what everybody does around here. ”

At the time, few facilities existed to give people with disabilities the option of surfing, but we were determined to try our best.

In his first session, George laid on his front on a large foam board and went into the water. It wasn’t a great start; George didn’t feel stable and it was clear we needed to rethink the design of the board itself.

We eventually invested in an adaptive surfboard which meant that George was able to sit upright in a much more comfortable position. He loved it.

George is now 14 and one our most dedicated surfers.At the end of a session, he always asks for “more waves” .