Adult Barella Shower Trolley
Changing Places - how we help
The Changing Places campaign is a government-supported vision on providing high specification changing and toileting areas for the disabled community. It has long since been established that many disabled people require a better-equipped area for care when away from home.
Wealden Rehab has united behind this incentive, equipping changing places all around the UK. Recently we were proud to be involved in the completion of what was to be the 1,000th changing place in the UK.
Whilst the main beneficiaries of the Changing Places scheme are the many disabled users that require better-equipped facilities than the traditional disabled toilet, we have feedback from many of our clients in the retail sector that there are tangible benefits for shops and businesses too. Helping these users access quality changing facilities brings revenue and footfall to retail shops and attractions that would previously have been lost; this trade, known as the ‘Purple Pound’ is thought to be worth £212 Billion.
Research has shown there are many severely disabled that still don’t have access to public toilet facilities that meets their needs. The following stats come from changingplaces.org website;
- 40,000 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities
- 130,000 older people, including people with Dementia and Alzheimer's
- 30,000 people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions
- 30,000 people with cerebral palsy
- 13,000 people with an acquired brain injury
- 8,500 people with Multiple Sclerosis
- 8,000 people with Spina Bifida
- 500 people with Motor Neurone Disease
Some of the benefits of working with us on your Changing Places project are below:
- Wealden Rehab is committed to delivering projects within your budget
- We will assist from planning through to final installation.
- Supply only, or supply and fit as suits you best
- We will work to your timescale; if it is an urgent installation we can help, or more frequently we will work with your builder to schedule in installation for a future date
What are the requirements for a Changing Places?
We have put together this video which explains some of the items that need to be considered for a Changing Places to meet with requirements
What makes a Changing Places different?
A standard accessible WC is designed for independent use by an individual. In some cases, a wheelchair user may be assisted but there is usually insufficient room for two assistants.
Changing Places facilities are designed for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. A CP facility must include:
- Height adjustable, adult sized changing bench
- Ceiling track hoist system
- Adequate space for the disabled person and 2 assistants
- Centrally located WC with space each side
- Privacy screen
- Paper roll
- Waste disposal bin
- Washbasin -preferably height adjustable
In addition, shower facilities are recommended for managed buildings such as leisure centres and transport hubs.
CP facilities should be provided in addition to the full range of standard accessible WC's and baby-change facilities.
Your team were very professional, they took the time to work alongside our building contractors ensuring that the finished room met all of the legal requirements, but most importantly worked well and looks amazing for our clients.