Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council needs your help as it launches a competition to find names for some very special vehicles.

Two bespoke Mobile Accessible Changing Units (MACUs) were recently purchased by Council as part of its COVID Recovery Revitalisation Programme funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Designed to ‘Changing Places’ standards, they will be available for use at Council events and can be booked for community events, helping to make them more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for people with additional needs.

The MACUs come complete with a host of important equipment including an XY hoist, height adjustable changing bed and wash hand basin, toilet, shower, lighting, non-slip flooring, shelving, hooks, mirror and privacy screen.

In preparation for their official launch, Council wants to give each vehicle a name.

It is hoped this initiative will help to raise greater awareness about the importance of the facilities and the difference they will make to individual users along with their family members and carers.

Explaining more, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace said: “Accessibility is a key consideration for Council, and in recent years we have taken steps to ensure our services and facilities can be used and enjoyed by everyone in the Borough.

“We continue to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in the area, we opened a new accessible play park in Limavady, and we have provided accessible toilets at many of our events.

“The purchase of these Mobile Accessible Changing Units is the next step in our continued commitment to providing services to all, and we are very pleased to now have these in our fleet.

“Most of us take access to adequate toilet and changing facilities for granted, but we know that one in five people in our Borough need access to enhanced facilities in order to meet their needs.

“While standard accessible toilets are suitable for some individuals with disabilities or invisible disabilities, this is not always the case. The reality is that many people and their families must carefully choose where to go or which event to attend based on the availability of suitable toilet provision and we hope that these mobile units will create more opportunities for those who need them to participate more fully in our events and community life.

“Through this competition, we want to highlight the importance of being able to provide facilities like this, and celebrate those in our community who require additional assistance.

“Please get involved if you have an idea for a suitable name, and I look forward to reading all of your suggestions.”

The competition is open to everyone of all ages, but entrants are particularly welcome from those individuals and families who will benefit directly from the new MACUs.

We are also interested in the reasons behind your chosen name, and are asking that you provide this information as part of your entry.

For example, is your suggestion inspired by the inclusivity which the units offer, or does it reflect the diversity of our Borough? Perhaps you would like to name the MACUs after someone from Causeway Coast and Glens, or something associated with the area? We are keen to hear all ideas.

To take part, email your suggested name to Town.Management@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk along with the reason behind your choice. Please also include your details, including your full name, address and phone number. Entries from those aged under 18 should be submitted by a parent or guardian.

The closing date is 5pm on Wednesday 22nd March 2023.

Ten potential names will be put forward to a public vote, with the top two selected as the winners and then placed on to each Unit before they are used for the first time.

Each winner will receive a £50 Causeway Coast and Glens Gift Card, which can be redeemed in over 200 businesses across the Borough.

If you like to find out more about the Units or to make a booking enquiry please email Town.Management@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.