Slow Shopping, an initiative helping people who need a little extra support when visiting the shops, will be rolled out across the SouthGate shopping centre in Bath from next week.
Photo courtesy of Rwendland
Slow Shopping caters for individuals with anxiety or mental illness, those who struggle with communication or literacy, the elderly, those with dementia and all those who suffer from visible, invisible or intellectual disabilities. Slow Shopping is an inclusive project which is open to anyone.
Within the SouthGate centre, a wide range of stores will offer a dedicated time each week where additional care will be available for any shoppers who need extra support.
The types of support provided can include staff who have received extra training, help points and chairs in stores to give shoppers the opportunity to rest while browsing.
Slow shopping will be offered every Wednesday morning between 10am and 12 noon.
The special initiative is being supported by St John’s Foundation, the Bath-based charitable foundation.
Nicole Jemson, Customer Engagement Manager at SouthGate Bath, said: “This has been a fabulous project to be a part of and we are delighted with how engaged the retailers are, they really understand that providing this valuable service encourages an environment where everyone feels comfortable to shop.”
Slow Shopping was founded by Katherine Vero, following her experiences of shopping with her mother as she developed dementia. Katherine has worked to rollout Slow Shopping across the country.
The partnership with SouthGate Bath will provide access to Slow Shopping to potentially thousands of shoppers in and around the city.
