Real stories from families have once again shaped real change.
After hearing repeated concerns from families about the lack of wheelchair‑accessible weighing scales during routine health appointments, Essex Carers Network gathered evidence highlighting the impact this has on safe medication dosing and overall health outcomes. As a result, funding has been secured from the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Learning Disability and Autism Health Equalities Programme to purchase 12 specialist scales for use across Essex.
Wendy Burt, CEO of Essex Carers Network, shared:
“Families tell us time and again that inaccessible environments and equipment create unnecessary barriers during health appointments. Accurate weight is essential for safe medication decisions, yet many wheelchair users simply cannot be weighed. This is a clear example of how health inequalities are created — and how they can be reduced when we listen.”
The new scales are now available at eight leisure centres across the county, free for families to use.
The new wheelchair‑accessible scales are now available, free of charge, at the following locations:
Clacton Leisure Centre
Colchester Leisure World
Witham Leisure Centre
Chelmsford Riverside Leisure Centre
The Brentwood Centre
Basildon Sporting Village
Canvey Island Leisure Centre
The Lord Butler Leisure Centre, Saffron Walden
More information can be found below, using the link button.
We are deeply grateful to the families who shared their experiences. Their voices have directly shaped this improvement — a true example of Voice It, Hear It, Change It making a difference.