Tidy people: Wendy Allsop – “Not everyone can step up”

Welcome to Tidy People, our series shining a light on everyday individuals who are quietly making extraordinary changes in our communities.

This week, we’re sharing the story of Wendy Allsop, a Tonypandy resident whose journey through personal hardship has transformed her into a powerful voice for accessibility awareness in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

From personal challenge to public advocacy

Wendy had been living a typical life – raising her family, working, and going about her daily routine. But two years ago, everything changed when she was diagnosed with a condition that severely impacted her mobility.

“Until it happened to me, I didn’t realise how inaccessible the world really is,” Wendy explains.

Suddenly, she found herself navigating her neighbourhood and town centre on a mobility scooter – and realising how much of the built environment simply doesn’t work for everyone.

Blocked pavements, inaccessible shops, and a lack of understanding

Wendy describes how something as common as parking can create serious barriers for people with mobility issues. Cars parked partially on pavements or streets without dropped kerbs can leave people like her stranded.

“If there’s no dropped kerb, you can’t just pop off the pavement. You have to turn around, go back, and find another way – if one exists.”

She recalls shops in Pontypridd with entrances too narrow for a wheelchair, or crammed interiors impossible to navigate on a scooter. One store even has a bell for assistance – mounted at a height unreachable for someone seated.

“They’ve tried, but it’s not truly accessible. And that’s the problem – many places try, but without consulting people with lived experience.”

Home, but not always accessible

Even outside her own home, Wendy faces challenges. Without an assigned disabled parking bay, she often can’t park nearby.

“If I leave the house after 5pm, I might not get back in. I’ve had to call my son to move the car for me. You end up staying in. You stop going out. You lose your social life.”

She’s placed a polite sign in her window asking others not to park in front of her house – but without legal backing, it’s often ignored.

It’s not malice – it’s a lack of awareness

Wendy is quick to say that most people don’t mean harm. They simply don’t realise the impact of their actions.

“They’re just in a hurry. They don’t think. But that thoughtlessness can trap people in their homes.”

That’s why Wendy believes awareness is key – and she’s calling for disability awareness education in schools, just like first aid or sign language.

If Wendy had a campaign poster…

Asked what message she’d put on a campaign poster, Wendy didn’t hesitate:

“Not everyone can step up.”

It’s a simple but powerful slogan – a reminder that not everyone can “step up” to a kerb, a doorway, or a conversation. It also invites the rest of us to “step up” in a different way: to be more thoughtful, more inclusive, and more aware.

Why Wendy speaks up

Wendy’s advocacy is driven by something deeply personal – her daughter.

“I’ve got a 12-year-old. I need to be a mum to her. That means getting out, showing up – and helping shape a world where she sees that everyone matters.”

From standing outside schools campaigning for safer crossings, to challenging assumptions about accessibility, Wendy is determined to make her voice heard.

“Unless you shout loud enough, no one listens. So I shout – for everyone who can’t.”

What we can learn from Wendy

Wendy reminds us that accessibility isn’t about convenience – it’s about dignity. It’s about ensuring everyone feels they belong in their communities.

“If I take your parking spot, you find another. If you take mine, I go home.”

Her message is clear: be kind, be aware, and step up – for those who can’t.

Catch Wendy’s full story on Tidy People — available now as a podcast and vodcast

Do you know a tidy person making a difference in your community?

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and help us celebrate the everyday champions of Rhondda Cynon Taf.