Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work visits Blackpool and Sandcastle Waterpark 24 August 2018 by Visit Blackpool Sarah Newton, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work visited Blackpool and Sandcastle Waterpark on Thursday 23rd August. The Minister’s primary reason for visiting Blackpool was to witness first hand, the wide and varied range of initiatives in resort that have been introduced for guests with disability and additional needs. Having been welcomed by Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Neil Jack, Chief Executive of Blackpool Council, the Minister met Jane Cole, Managing Director for Blackpool Transport Services who conducted a tour of a new E400 bus, highlighting the company’s investment in state of the art, accessible transport throughout the resort which compliments the world famous tramway which has undergone major investment in recent years. The Minister was then introduced to John Child, Managing Director of Sandcastle Waterpark. The Minister was keen to see for herself, the wide and varied range of facilities on offer at the award winning Waterpark for guests with disabilities and additional needs. The tour took in the recently opened quiet and sensory room – one of the first to be introduced at a Waterpark, as well as finding out more about the levels of Accessible training staff undertake and the support that is available for guests to plan their visit. Following her tour the Minister said “Sandcastle Waterpark is a shining example of a leisure centre doing the right thing and making sure it is accessible to people with a range of disabilities. “Its quiet room, wheelchair accessible water equipment and the commitment and skills of its staff to support its disabled customers is very impressive. “I’m calling on others in the tourism industry to follow their lead and put visitors’ needs at the heart of their services.” Sandcastle Waterpark Managing Director John Child said "We are delighted that the Minister chose to visit Blackpool to see the levels of Accessibility that we, and our resort colleagues have available to assist our guests with disability and additional needs. It is hugely important to all of us that we are as accessible as possible to ensure these guests have an enjoyable and memorable visit with their families and friends. We are proud that Blackpool has been recognised as having some of the very best levels of Accessibility in the country”.