Rotherham United is playing host to a Changing Place facility at their home venue of The AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Led by the club’s Community Sports Trust and Rotherham Council, which secured around $92,000 AUD from the Government’s Changing Places Fund, the facility is now able to provide a space with essential equipment. This includes a hoist, height-adjustable changing table, and a height-adjustable washbasin – for people living with learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other conditions.
This implementation, located in the family-friendly West stand behind turnstiles 5-8, ensures inclusivity for all supporters and helps to make AESSEAL New York Stadium a safe and welcoming environment for all at their home ground. This not only lends itself to matchday for Rotherham United, but for various events year-round.
Kerry Coleman, Chair of the Rotherham United Disabled Supporters Association, expressed her delight at being able to put fan feedback into action, telling www.themillers.co.uk:
“As disabled fans, we know sometimes going to games can have its challenges,” she said.
“Having received feedback from some supporters about the need for a Changing Places facility that provided additional support to people’s personal needs, we have been working hard alongside Rotherham United and RUCST to implement this.
“RUDSA have been working hard to raise money towards the new facilities, we have had donations from local people, fundraising from a committee member, organised raffles, and donations from a local charity plus much more.
“We are so pleased we are able to offer this facility to all those attending AEESEAL New York Stadium, be it on a match day or any other event.”
Jamie Noble, Head of Community, also voiced his excitement about the new facility, adding via press release:
“As a football club, we pride ourselves on supporting the community, not only to live better and healthier lives, but to help make AESSEAL New York Stadium a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy their football,” he said.
Following the award of just over $666,000 AUD in the first round of the Changing Places Fund, Rotherham Council is now ‘looking forward to opening more of these facilities across Rotherham’ in order to provide the space and privacy that members of the local community deserve.
Additional Changing Places facilities are planned at the following locations:
- Clifton Park Museum
- Gullivers Valley Theme Park and Resort
- Rother Valley Country Park
- Thrybergh Country Park
- Wentworth Woodhouse
- Magna Science Adventure Centre
- Grimm and Co.
