Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre are celebrating Purple Tuesday with events and guest feedback sessions to raise awareness of sensory and accessibility issues.
Purple Tuesday is an annual initiative which looks to improve the customer experience for disabled people and their families year-round. Participating organisations must make a commitment to greater inclusion and accessibility, to ensure a positive experience for all visitors.
Both centres will be hosting a variety of events from 10am – 5pm on Tuesday 7th November to increase awareness of the facilities available for visitors. Trinity Leeds will be welcoming Leeds Autism Services’ awareness pod and the team from Support Dogs will also be visiting with their incredible alert and assistance dogs.
Leeds Autism Services will also be in attendance at White Rose, and Guide Dogs for the Blind will be sharing information and accepting donations from 10am – 4pm. ‘Hidden disability’ sunflower lanyards will be available for guests to take away, and visitors will be able to experience sensory toys and learn about their benefits.
Both centres will also be hosting drop-in sessions inviting guest feedback on accessibility services.
Trinity Leeds and White Rose are dedicated to continuously improving inclusivity and accessibility for all visitors year-round. Accessibility facilities at the centres include:
- Quiet Mornings every Tuesday from 10am – midday at White Rose and 9am – 11am at Trinity Leeds. Between these times, the centres and their retailers reduce noise for those who prefer a calmer shopping environment without music, product demonstrations or mall activity.
- Stoma-friendly facilities, newly installed, are available at both centres, providing a safe, clean and helpful space for bags to be changed.
- Changing Places toilet facilities for people with profound and multiple disabilities, each fitted with specialist equipment such as a hoist and changing bench with enough space for up to two carers to assist those with a disability.
- Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire to ensure guests with mobility issues can enjoy their visit.
- Free sensory toys and hidden disability lanyards which can be collected from Trinity Leeds’ Guest Services and White Rose’s Customer Service Centre.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at both Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre: “There are estimated to be 16 million people in the UK with some form of disability, almost a quarter of the population, and around 80% of disabled people have hidden impairments.
It’s really important for us that anyone with additional needs feels welcome and supported at our centres, and we’re keen to understand what we can do to improve our visitors’ experience.
A trip to the shop may seem straightforward for some of us, but can present difficulties for others in ways we might not immediately think of. It’s important that we consider and remove these barriers wherever possible.”
For further details, please visit https://trinityleeds.com/ and https://white-rose.co.uk/
Main image: White Rose Shopping Centre.
