Francesca Dean

To me, if I don’t have a Changing Places Toilet available, it’s like society saying my disability doesn’t matter, or that I don’t matter in society.

I love taking part in sport. I undertake regular gym sessions at J7 Community Health Centre in Manchester and I’m also a proud member of the Lancashire Spitfires team. I find it really helps my mental health to play alongside my teammates and compete against other powerchair teams across the country.

That’s why it’s so important that sports venues right across the UK have Changing Places Toilets available – not just for sportsplayers, but for fans, too.

Having Changing Places Toilets at sports venues would allow more people and their families to enjoy sport, without the worry of how and where – or even if – they’re going to be able to use the toilet.

It provides people like me with respect and with dignity.

I can’t weight bear, I can’t stand up, so if one isn’t available, I simply wouldn’t be able to be changed. The #RiseforSport campaign is very close to my heart because of this.

I wish sports venue owners would see the person – not the disability – and I’m proud to be using my voice on behalf of so many people who are in my position but don’t have the confidence to speak up.

In 2023, when we have so much technology to help us, we are still being let down.

I’m calling on everyone to sign the petition and help us achieve our goal – to get Changing Places Toilets in all sports venues, right across the country.