Have you ever been out shopping or running errands and needed somewhere to sit down, but couldn’t find a seat anywhere?
It is always a hassle having to walk further and further looking for a seat, not knowing if you’ll be able to find one and take that break you need. This is where Seat Spot comes in. Seat Spot was set up in 2020 as a charity aiming to help people of all ages experiencing mobility and fatigue issues to feel confident going out to high streets and shopping centres. We do this by urging businesses to provide seating for anyone who needs to take a break while out shopping. Seat Spot is now in over 50 different locations across the UK, making steps towards making our high streets more accessible.
Overcoming Daily Challenges
People with mobility and fatigue issues face many challenges in their daily lives that are not always obvious. Things that are simple for most people can feel exhausting or even impossible. Take shopping for example, it is a huge part of our daily lives, but can quickly become overwhelming if it involves long walks between shops and carrying heavy bags. Similarly, whist running errands and standing in queues is not a big deal for many people, for people who suffer with chronic pain and fatigue, it can be a struggle. Socialising with friends should be lots of fun, but it can be hard to keep up with everyone else when you are tired and in pain. Although it is possible to do some of these activities online, not being able to get out and about in the local community means people with these issues often find themselves more and more isolated. These are some of the reasons why businesses should provide seating for those who need it, to give people the confidence to continue to participate in their local community, and go about their daily lives feeling safe and supported.
Why Seat Spot?
In 2024, studies carried out by the UK government showed that 25 percent of the UK population are disabled, and what concerns us is that disabled people take 28.7 percent fewer trips than people without a disability. For shopping, a panel session from the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers, reported that one in two disabled people will leave a shop if it not accessible for them. They also found that three in five respondents reported feeling isolated because they felt that they could not shop in person. To us, it is clear that a large share of the population face some form of barrier in getting out and about, which is why it is so vital to help them to access seating.
Seat Spot’s initiative is based in Edinburgh, but has been rapidly expanding around the UK. We would like to thank all the businesses who are keeping our vision alive.We are especially proud that the Salvation Army have come on board and provided seating in sixteen of their stores - a terrific achievement for accessibility. But we have a long way to go. If you are a business that wants to help out your community by providing a Seat Spot, or you know somewhere that really needs a Seat Spot, please contact us and make a difference today!
To find your local Seat Spot locations, please visit https://www.seatspot.co.uk/find-a-seat-spot
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-travel-survey-2024/nts-2024-disability
