The WelcoMe App Adds Lipoedema

My.wel-co.me is an internet-based customer experience service that is inclusive and accessible. WelcoMe informs customer service teams of your general and specific needs before arriving. It can now be used at an increasing number of venues across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Read on Press Release Point 2nd February, 2023

My.wel-co.me

Fantastic news Welcome has recently added Lipoedema to their list of conditions and in doing so, will create much-needed awareness of this chronic condition, affecting approximately 11% of the female population.

Customer service teams will understand that Lipoedema is an abnormal fat disease that does not respond to diet or exercise, affecting hips, buttocks, legs and sometimes upper arms and that legs can feel painful and heavy and bruise easily. They will also know that In later stages, mobility can be affected and they will also have looked at links on the https://www.lipoedema.co.uk/ charity website and at two Lipoedema patient stories.

A customer service team member will introduce themselves to you and ask if they can help, considering the needs they have already read from the details you have set up in the app, which is incredibly easy to navigate. WelcoMe wants every shop or venue you visit to offer you the service you need and deliver it in a way that reduces your anxiety and increases your confidence in their ability.

They aim to make the WelcoMe App your key to unlocking safety and security on your arrival at every participating destination. The venue gets notified of your visit and receives an overview and top tips for customer success to aid their interaction with you.

WelcoMe very much hope that this will lead to more and more people knowing about and understanding the needs of their visitors and others living with the condition.

Let's go!

A) Set up a profile my.wel-co.me
B) Simply let your intended destination know of your intention to visit.

Then your phone will do the rest from your pocket, helping them help you when you arrive and ensuring you get the very best service delivered in a way that is specific to your needs.

In the app, you can request where you would like to see the WelcoMe service set up; please complete this if there is a place in your area that you feel needs it.

"The more businesses and venues that take WelcoMe on board, the more user-friendly and accessible they will be to disabled people with better outcomes for people who need an understanding of their condition". Jax Smith

App facilities include:

Search and browse venues and check their accessibility features
Plan visits while indicating the assistance you require on arrival or any specific requests
Visit and Repeat- They will get notified when you are arriving
Enjoy your personalised service and give feedback.

Bel Hardman @Lipoedema.Facts, after discussion with other lippy ladies in a private group chat, has suggested:

“Easy access to seating, wider seating (not chairs with arms, etc.), cushioned seating, not hard seats, and possibly the option to elevate legs and wider aisles.

Jax Smith, our regular guest blogger wrote, "I need better pool access, so I can enjoy the benefits of my local pool without feeling so isolated”. Jax has requested that a local venue, not on the list, be added to the app. WelcoMe will contact the venue to see if they would like to be part of the initiative. And so it grows...

In our new short PhysioPod short survey, we ask:

1 "How might a venue staff member help you more?"

2 "What services would make your life easier when you arrive at a venue?"

COMPLETE SURVEY

We look forward to sorting and passing the results of our survey to WelcoMe, in a bid to make the world, not just the UK and Ireland, a fairer place for those living with Lipoedema. It's high time!

Special Acknowledgements

Mary Fickling and Gavin Neate became friends in July 2021, when Gavin was the only person to come forward with the answer to a question on the subject of hidden disability that she raised on Twitter. Since then, they have happily worked together on several blogs, which bring alive Gavin's thoughts and visions for a truly accessible future for all.

Special thanks to Anna Morell, who was put forward by Sharie Fetzer of Lipoedema UK for help with inclusion of Lipoedema on the WelcoMe app