The Great Outdoors Made Accessible with New Changing Places Toilet in Leicestershire
Introducing an accessible Changing Places toilet means Bradgate Country Park in Leicestershire now offer full changing, hoisting and toileting facilities for disabled visitors and their families. The great outdoors can now be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability, thanks to the specialist equipment provided by Astor-Bannerman in the Changing Places toilet following a site visit and quotation. Equipment includes the Nivano changing table, Carlo mobile hoist and ABW6sp adjustable wash basin.
With around 830 acres of stunning countryside, Bradgate Country Park takes accessibility very seriously. Although the views are wild and rugged with wildlife all around, a tarmac driveway runs through the middle for wheelchairs and pushchairs and with accessibility clearly playing an important part at the park, the provision of a Changing Places toilet was a natural part of their ongoing development.
Bradgate Park has been named as one of the UK’s Top 10 Parks in the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. The impressive nature and history combined and with the new addition of a sympathetically designed Changing Places toilet, it is easy to see why.
Once the construction of a new female WC and conversion of existing female WC had taken place Astor-Bannerman were called to install the all-important Changing Places equipment.
Changing Places include a changing table, hoist and room for 2 carers. Standard wheelchair accessible toilets aren’t suitable for many disabled people or their carers. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities as well as other serious impairments such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or an acquired brain injury.
They are so important that the students of Ash Field Academy in Leicester even recorded the song ‘When You’ve Got To Go’ following their visit to raise awareness on a wider scale.
The lyrics to the song are based on words suggested by the students which were communicated using speech output communication devices, iPads, sign language and their voices.
Nivano Adult Changing Table
The Nivano CTE180 Changing Table is fully height adjustable folding away neatly against the wall when not in use and is simple and easy to operate at the touch of a button.
With a weight capacity of 200kg (approximately 31 Stone) the stretcher, which is made from a special high tension tear resistant material, is comfortable and easy to clean as well as maintain. All of this makes the Nivano the ideal Changing Bench for this particular multi-user environment.
Carlo Mobile Hoist
The Astor-Bannerman Carlo Classic Mobile Hoist with curved T bar for loop slings was chosen for the Bradgate Park Changing Places project as it is extremely sturdy and designed for repetitive use. The mobile hoist allows for full room coverage and has battery powered spreadable legs with a 360° swivel and lock dynamic balance positioning system suitable for loop slings. This hoist enables the care giver to transfer the user from wheelchair to toilet or changing table comfortably with ease and dignity.
ABW6sp Adjustable Wash Basin
A height adjustable wash basin is not a defining feature of Changing Places facilities, it is a preferred item to ensure the maximum level of care is achieved. There are many unique aspects of the hi/lo Astor-Bannerman ABW6SP Wash Basin which stands out from competitors. For example, a high quality unique ‘Corian’ material is used for durability and is the material of choice for architects and designers specialising in healthcare. The basin includes a large mirror which adjusts in height with the basin at all times.
The top spec model was chosen for the Changing Places at Bradgate Park which has the addition of handset controlled taps and pop up waste and LED strip light, making it the perfect basin for wheelchair users with Muscular Dystrophy or those with limited movement who may need extra assistance.
Following their visit to Bradgate Park, teachers from Ash Field Academy told Astor- Bannerman,
“The students were very impressed with the well maintained Changing Places toilet facility. It was very spacious and complete with a changing table, mobile hoist and a adjustable sink. It is fully accessible to its’ disabled visitors.”
To see how Astor-Bannerman could help with your Changing Places and home adaptations contact us today and make use of many of the free services we provide. For more information on the full range of bathing solutions available, call 01242 820820, email sales@astorbannerman.co.uk or visit www.astorbannerman.co.uk
