Fans With Disabilities & Additional Needs

[Keith]

Just found out (almost midnight on Wednesday) that there is a meeting on Friday morning at 9am to discuss additional needs for fans. While I welcome the initiative, a little more notice and planning would have been a good idea, especially as people with 'additional needs', frequently need additional planning to attend things!

From Facebook:

"The first meeting for an inclusion group, which will discuss additional/specific needs for fans and how to accommodate them, will be taking place at the Mazuma this Friday 28 March at 9am.
If you would like to come, please email hello@shrimpstrust.co.uk"

As a wheelchair user, I dislike going in The Halo Stand. The view is not great, and if stewards are standing, it is often impossible to see. I noticed that this season the stewards have at last been provided with stools, similar to ball boys & , so that will help.

The accessible toilet needs a RADAR key. It is kept locked because apparently people were using it to vape & smoke, but it means finding the steward who has the key. At half-time, when it is already crowded around the back, this can be awkward, as it is difficult getting there in the first place.

What may be nice would be if someone came around and took a 'food order', or, allowed wheelchair users to order & pay for food before the match, and have it delivered at half-time. If I'm on my own at the game, I don't even try to get food or drink at half-time as it is simply too crowded to get through in a wheelchair. There are usually two or three other wheelies where I go, and a couple at the other side of the stand. It may be good if someone from the Trust or club walked around pre-match and asked them what their experience of attending is?

[Scouseport_Shrimp]

I seriously struggle with terracing/steps at football grounds, even the Berlin Wall terracing is a serious challenge, particularly if I am trying to negotiate the terracing 'blocked' by other fans on the same tier of step Not so much where there is a bar to hold on to and aid my balance.

However, looking at me you would never think that I have a serious issue with balance, I can walk 25,000, or more steps a day without any problem, other than of course needing to be careful what my feet might land in as I walk.

Am I likely to get any aid at a football ground if i ask for it? Going for food or drink is out of the question, even if i did I'd need my hands for balance to return to where I was standing.

Basically I've got a 'well masked' physical disability, which I have to put up with.

[KenH]

Lack of handrails on the steps in the main stand is a real problem and is dangerous with the steps being steep. Very badly designed and I can't see any way of retrofitting them as the stairs are too narrow to put a handrail down the middle. I regularly see people struggling and quite a few minor falls/trips.

[Billy bodger]

I agree that the steps in the main stand are steep and not easy together down, I’m 69 still quite active etc and I struggle on those steps going down and that’s from the corporate to our seats on Tuesday night games. Unfortunately I agree not wide enough for a handrail down the middle, so I don’t know what to suggest.

[twosheds]

All the things you've covered so far I've asked the Shrimps Trust, a week or so ago, to raise these concerns the next time they meet with the BOD....

[Old Man Kensey]

All the things you've covered so far I've asked the Shrimps Trust, a week or so ago, to raise these concerns the next time they meet with the BOD....

I believe they met last night. They are usually quick with the minutes to members so hopefully we should hear something.

[Old Man Kensey]

13. My wife and I are both season ticket holders and sit in C2, Row D, we access our seats via the stairs from the Local Choice Suite.
We along, with supporters of a similar age, find the stairs a challenge at times, especially when it's wet. Is there any possibility of adding some form of grab rail to help with ascending and
descending the stairs.
This is something we will be actioning in the off season and is already part of our planned works. Stage 1 is to improve the painting and grip on all steps across stands. Stage 2 will be to
look at accessibility aids in certain areas of the stands

Minutes out and an answer provided.

[marky No.1]

Unfortunately the steps aren't wide enough to have a central handrail, so tricky to solve

[Old Man Kensey]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2 ... 788bce.jpg

I'd imagine it would be something like the above as a retro-fit.

[marky No.1]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2560/cpsprodpb/3c13/live/b215a490-e78a-11ee-8ee7-fdaae1788bce.jpg

I'd imagine it would be something like the above as a retro-fit.

Bet the person on the end would love that

[redrobo]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2560/cpsprodpb/3c13/live/b215a490-e78a-11ee-8ee7-fdaae1788bce.jpg

I'd imagine it would be something like the above as a retro-fit.

Excellent......

As someone who suffers from Arthritis in both knees and is scheduled to have knee replacements at Wrightington Hospital near Wigan I can sympathies with all sufferers who struggle with steps and stairs anywhere. Even stairs in ones home can prove painful so any move to make life easier for fans with difficulties at the Mazuma is most welcome.

Fortunately I was able to secure a seated season ticket some 7 years ago situated just below the concourse and adjacent to the stairway so I don't have to negotiate with much difficulty the steps leading hospitality. I also use the lift despite some initial questionable looks from Security.

IF the handrails as detailed above can be afforded then excellent. Maybe the cost is something the Trust could contribute to....

As for other areas in the stadium that cause problems for those with impaired mobility anything that can improve their match day experience should be encouraged.

Maybe an approach should be made to the club owner to make a non refundable donation....after all he has done zero to improve the match day experience.....

[al1]

Everytime something crops up people seem to expect the Trust to sort it out,the club should do it!

[BerlinWaller]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2560/cpsprodpb/3c13/live/b215a490-e78a-11ee-8ee7-fdaae1788bce.jpg

I'd imagine it would be something like the above as a retro-fit.

Excellent......

As someone who suffers from Arthritis in both knees and is scheduled to have knee replacements at Wrightington Hospital near Wigan I can sympathies with all sufferers who struggle with steps and stairs anywhere. Even stairs in ones home can prove painful so any move to make life easier for fans with difficulties at the Mazuma is most welcome.

Fortunately I was able to secure a seated season ticket some 7 years ago situated just below the concourse and adjacent to the stairway so I don't have to negotiate with much difficulty the steps leading hospitality. I also use the lift despite some initial questionable looks from Security.

IF the handrails as detailed above can be afforded then excellent. Maybe the cost is something the Trust could contribute to....

As for other areas in the stadium that cause problems for those with impaired mobility anything that can improve their match day experience should be encouraged.

Maybe an approach should be made to the club owner to make a non refundable donation....after all he has done zero to improve the match day experience.....

Why should the Trust pay for stadium repairs or upgrades? Enough Trust money has gone in to the club over recent years.

I am not sure if you have grasped what kind of a person our owner is just yet.

[redrobo]

Everytime something crops up people seem to expect the Trust to sort it out,the club should do it!

Surely this is something that the Trust SHOULD be looking into....

Our excellent Trust is there to support and assist in areas that the club can not.....or am I wrong...

The club can ill afford to do it considering their current financial pressures.....HOWEVER Jason as act of goodwill can afford it considering the money he has made and continues to make from our club.....but 'pigs may fly'.......

[Old Man Kensey]

IF the handrails as detailed above can be afforded then excellent. Maybe the cost is something the Trust could contribute to....

Not sure how much money you think that the Trust has?
Guessing at about 750 members(?) each paying £10 each year hardly provides a massive pot of money to throw about.
I know they have business sponsors who help towards away travel and they also fund raise from events, but even so they'll hardly be rolling in loose change.

[BerlinWaller]

Everytime something crops up people seem to expect the Trust to sort it out,the club should do it!

Surely this is something that the Trust SHOULD be looking into....

Our excellent Trust is there to support and assist in areas that the club can not.....or am I wrong...

The club can ill afford to do it considering their current financial pressures.....HOWEVER Jason as act of goodwill can afford it considering the money he has made and continues to make from our club.....but 'pigs may fly'.......

The club can't afford it so ask the man who can't afford to fund the club?

[Billy bodger]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2560/cpsprodpb/3c13/live/b215a490-e78a-11ee-8ee7-fdaae1788bce.jpg

I'd imagine it would be something like the above as a retro-fit.

A very good suggestion, thank you “Old Man Kensey” it is a very good example of what can be done, it would certainly limit the chance of an accident happening. Let’s hope someone sees it and acts decisively and quickly before next season.

[Mark S]

As a founding Trustee, just to be clear what the Trust was set up for.

While the Trust took over and used the existing membership of the old Fans Club, the Trust was set up to give the fans an element of protection from the danger that was present at the time with the abandonment of the previous Chairman, leaving the club in the hands of a Brazilian con man, who disappeared, leading us open to an italian fantasist, and then a series of defacto owners, eventually landing with our current owner.

If we think things are bad now (they are!), then remember that we were at one point a day or two away from collapse with staff not being paid months in a row and players playing without wages.

The Trust was not set up as a fundraising organisation for the club, or as a travel club, or as a social club. All these things are nice and it is great that they are being incorprated into the offerings for the membership and help justify the yearly membership charge, but they are not the primary purpose.

The purpose was clear at the time.

1)An official trust gets rights that a fans club doesnt in the event of administration. Any reciever has to legally have dialogue with an official Trust and keep it informed every step of the way.

2) The club has to have regular meetings with representatives of an official Trust

3) A Trust would give fans an opportunity to have a voice and be represented by a board appointed by members

I have just done a quick search and this sort of gives an overview.

A football trust, often a supporters' trust, is a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of fans that aims to strengthen supporter influence over their club's management and operations, while also benefiting the local community.


Supporter Influence:
The primary goal of a football trust is to provide a platform for fans to have a say in how their club is run, focusing on issues like fan experience, club facilities, community engagement, and club sustainability.
Democratic Structure:
Trusts operate on a "one person, one vote" basis, ensuring that all members have an equal voice in decision-making.
Community Benefit:
Many trusts actively work to improve the local community through initiatives like community programs, youth development, and supporting local businesses.
Not-for-Profit:
Trusts are not-for-profit organizations, meaning any profits are reinvested into the club or community, rather than distributed to members.
Engagement with the Club:
Trusts engage with the club through regular meetings and discussions, aiming to act as a constructive conduit between the club and its fans.

Now, I have no issue with the Trust raising money for a campaign or projects such as this one, and I would be glad to offer help, but anything like this should be made clear for the purpose, with money raised and ringfenced seperately for a particular cause. This should not come out of central funds. This is a good cause that would benefit fans so maybe a couple of fans could get together with The Trust and create a fundraising campaign that fans can choose to get behind if they wish. That includes sponsorship of players or buying equipment.

Any central funds should be kept as part of a war chest to be used in case of emergency. In my opinion.

I would also urge anyone with any spare time to get involved in the Trust. It is a thankless task, driven by volunteers and they are few in number. I have a conflict of interests as a volunteer at the club and since 2021 I have focused on my matchday duties. When the time comes that either I do not want to continue, or the club do not want me to continue, I will be offering my time and energy to the Trust as I am passionate about our club. In the meantime, I will help Tarnia and the Trustees wherever I can with fundraising etc. If a few others could help instead of telling them what they should be doing, they would definately be in a better place. Stronger Together' was our motto when we founded the Trust. It should remain our mantra now.

[Keith]

A good post Mark, probably worthy of a thread on its own. I don't understand why the Trust refuse to use this forum to communicate with fans. There are lots of people who read ShrimpsVoices, who don't use Facebook.

Back to the subject, does anyone know what happened at the meeting?