At Extra, we’re committed to creating motorway service areas that are welcoming, accessible and inclusive for everyone.
As we mark National Inclusion Week (14th-20th September), we wanted to reflect on the different ways that we’re going the Extra mile to support customers and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of needs.
Accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities
As part of our accessibility action plan, we recently upgraded our accessible toilet at Blackburn Services and seven of our eight sites provide Changing Places facilities. These feature height-adjustable changing benches and ceiling hoists that cover the entire space and are designed to help everyone with accessibility needs to travel more comfortably. All of our sites also offer dedicated facilities for ambulant users and baby changing to suit all customers, from families to those travelling on their own.
Partnering with AccessAble
We’re also working with accessibility specialists AccessAble to help customers better plan and navigate their visits, while conducting active assessments to support the future introduction of more accessible EV charging facilities. In the meantime, we provide priority EV charging points at Peterborough and Cambridge, allowing customers with accessibility needs to be prioritised wherever possible.
Multi-faith rooms and religious holidays
As part of our commitment of an inclusive space for customers and staff alike, we provide multi-faith prayer rooms at our Leeds, Baldock, Peterborough and Cambridge sites.
Our colleagues can also swap their time off to ensure that they can celebrate those religious holidays important to them, rather than taking leave for occasions that they do not celebrate.
Mental health and hidden disability training
We’re continuing to invest in our people too, with approximately 10% of the workforce trained as Mental Health First Aiders and providing them with additional training to help them better understand and support hidden disabilities. These initiatives help us create a place where everyone feels valued, respected and able to assist customers with a variety of needs in the most appropriate way.
Listening to our staff
Feedback from our most recent employee satisfaction results show the following have increased positively from our last survey in 2024:
- Employees feeling the company treats people fairly (+23%)
- Colleagues feeling comfortable voicing opinions and concerns at work (+26%)
- Employees believing the company is dedicated to diversity and inclusion (+17%)
Michael Grantham, ESG Manager, Extra MSA commented: “We want everyone who visits or works at our sites to feel supported, included and at ease. Whether that’s through improving accessibility, investing in colleague wellbeing or creating an open and welcoming culture, we’re committed to go the Extra mile in creating a positive environment for everyone. National Inclusion Week is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made so far while recognising that we can still strive to do more.”