Today is Changing Places Awareness Day. A day in the year when we celebrate all that has been achieved towards the goal of providing Changing Places Toilets for all who need them and discuss the positive difference that Changing Places Toilets make to people’s lives, and to the venues that install them.
Sitting in the heart of the Cotswolds, Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park has a long-standing reputation for a fun-filled day out. The team are always making improvements to the site – which now features a glamping and camping site, restaurants and many activities aimed at the whole family.
This year we created a Changing Places Toilet facility on-site, and in conjunction with other accessibility improvements made recently, this addition has directly benefitted disabled visitors and their families, as well as the tourist attraction itself, enabling more people to visit the park since the toilet was opened in February this year.
WHAT HAVE COTSWOLD FARM PARK DONE?
The award-winning attraction prides itself on constantly evolving its spaces both indoor and out, always striving to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors.
Astor Bannerman created Cotswold farm Park’s Changing Places Toilet on a turnkey basis, converting an existing toilet block to allow the specialist equipment to be installed in a spacious and welcoming space. It is conveniently located at the admissions area and adjacent to the main entrance toilet block.
This essential space was created with grant funding provided by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in association with Muscular Dystrophy UK and with the support of Cotswold District Council.
Farmer and TV Presenter, Adam Henson, said about the Changing Places Toilet,
“We aim to give every visitor the very best experience on a day out at Cotswold Farm Park and with around 250,000 people in the UK living with Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifada, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other conditions (including many hidden disabilities) which make using standard toilets, and even accessible toilets, impossible, we are so pleased to be able to open a purpose built area for visitors to be able to use safely and with dignity.”
Mark Colebrook, Astor Bannerman’s Managing Director said;
“As the leading UK manufacturer of Changing Places equipment, we are proud to have installed this new Changing Places Toilet, particularly as Cotswold Farm Park is such a prestigious tourist attraction and is located very close to our Gloucestershire factory. It includes the latest innovative equipment, designed specifically for Changing Places Toilets.”
Read more about the installation of the Changing Places Toilet at Cotswold Farm Park.
The team at the park have made other accessibility improvements this year. They have enhanced access to their Animal Barn and laid a crushed stone path around the animal walkway and in the woodland area. Along the route of the animal walkway there are also new shelters and pig arcs with low level animal interaction zones.
Changes to facilitate sensory engagement include the addition of three listening posts, and a brand-new sensory garden.
HOW HAVE DISABLED VISITORS BENEFITTED FROM THE NEW CHANGING PLACES TOILET?
For disabled people and their families, the existence of a Changing Places Toilet can be a deciding factor when contemplating whether a tourist attraction visit is viable.
The Cotswold Farm Park team have received some great feedback from recent visitors:
“The accessibility is great, particularly the changing places toilet.”
“Came with a group of disabled adults, was very impressed with the changing suite.”
“Excellent day. Facilities well thought out. Lots of areas to keep out of the sun. Accessibility to and feeding of the animals very good. The baby changing / special needs changing exceptional. Definitely will return soon.”
Families enjoying a visit to Cotswold Farm Park
HOW HAS THE CHANGING PLACES TOILET IMPACTED VISITOR NUMBERS?
Although the Changing Places Toilet has only been open since the start of this year’s season in February, it is already clear that the new facility is having a positive impact on the number of disabled visitors coming to the park.
Compared to 2022, so far in 2023 carer visits are up by 12.5%. More groups have also booked visits, including school groups with disabled children.
Pete Magnuson, Cotswold Farm Park’s Guest Services Manager said,
“It certainly feels like there have been more disabled visitors in general. I’ve had a number of comments personally about the new toilets now allowing people to attend who may not have previously.”
ABOUT ASTOR BANNERMAN
Astor Bannerman offer the full range of products specified by Changing Places regulations, including fixed and mobile changing tables, hoists, height adjustable washbasins, toilets and accessories. We are always developing new products, and are proud to have developed the Astor Invincible, the first changing table designed specifically for Changing Places toilets.
ABOUT AVESO
The team at Aveso are passionate about Changing Places toilets. They have supported the official Changing Places campaign since 2013, and can provide free, expert advice on all aspects of the Changing Places planning and design process.