Changing Places for South Basildon and East Thurrock

Labour parliamentary candidate calls for a Changing Places campaign to assist those who need extra support. "A level playing field means making the changes needed to include all citizens." Mike Le-Surf

Many vulnerable people in our society, including people with disabilities, do not have the opportunities that most of us take for granted. Supporting people without a strong voice in their community is why I first became involved in politics and is one of the reasons why I am campaigning to be the next MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

In my “day job” I work for the campaigns and policy team at national learning disability charity "Royal Mencap Society” on a project called “Changing Places”. Changing Places are toilet facilities that have a bench and hoist for anyone who need extra assistance with their personal care. Without these facilities many people would not be able to access their local communities, shopping centres, music venues etc. During the coming years I will be campaigning for a level playing field for all constituents. This will include championing the need for Changing Places toilets in all public places so that vulnerable citizens can fully participate.

Richard Howitt MEP

I would really like to hear from people in the constituency who would either use these facilities or support someone to use them. There is currently only one Changing Places facility in the constituency at The Sorrells in Stanford-Le-Hope and it would be great if we could see many more at all large public venues.

Labour MEP for the East of England, Richard Howitt, is a champion for the Changing Places campaign and said: "Without Changing Places toilets many people cannot access the places that most of us visit regularly and take for granted. I fully support the Changing Places campaign as I know that they provide people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and others who need them, with the opportunity to become fully participating members of their local communities."

Please get in touch with me if you would like to campaign for a Changing Places in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency. It would be great to hear from you.

More info here:

http://www.changing-places.org/