Wed. Dec 4th, 2024

Southside Shopping Centre Introduces Stoma-Friendly Facilities

Colostomy UK is delighted to announce that one of South London’s premier shopping destinations is now stoma-friendly.

Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth has introduced stoma-friendly upgrades to their accessible toilets, ensuring each cubicle contains a hook, shelf space, a mirror, and a bin, increasing comfort for those living with a stoma.

Visiting shopping centres can be a source of anxiety for those with a stoma as toilets may not be adequately designed for them to be able to safely change their stoma bags. In some cases, people have had to change their bags on the floor of public toilets.

People living with a stoma can also face discrimination, being challenged, or criticised for using accessible toilets. To combat this, Southside has provided clear signage that accessible toilets are inclusive for those with a stoma to use, using ‘Not all disabilities are visible’ stickers as provided by Colostomy UK.

Southside is the latest Landsec owned retail destination to become stoma-friendly as Colostomy UK Marketing & Campaigns Manager Giovanni Cinque explained.

“It’s brilliant to see that Southside has joined our campaign, providing reassurance to the thousands of people with stomas who are potential customers. We’re delighted at the support our campaign has received from Landsec this year, with so many of their shopping centres and outlets coming on board across the country”.

Pieter Strömbeck, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, commented: “We understand that a trip to the shops can be a potential source of anxiety for people with additional needs, and it’s our job to make sure we reduce these barriers wherever possible.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Colostomy UK to become stoma-friendly, and the recent enhancements to our facilities are another positive step forward to ensure we continue to provide an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all our visitors.”

Southside Shopping Centre is a retail and leisure destination located in the heart of Wandsworth, South West London. It is home to over 70 retail brands, restaurants and leisure destinations, including supermarket giant Waitrose, entertainment centre Gravity and a 14-screen Cineworld multiplex featuring London’s first-ever 4DX screen. Find out more at https://southsidewandsworth.com/

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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