Changing Places For Leisure Attractions

Introduction

Leisure attractions whether indoors or outdoors make up a significant part of the UK tourist industry and for many families occupy a lot of their free leisure time. But what about people with severe or complex disabilities – people that need access to Changing Places toilets? These people are limited to the attractions listed on the CP toilet map and don’t have as many options when it comes to spending a full day out of the house at a leisure attraction.

Leisure attractions should prioritise installing a Changing Places toilet and join the growing number of inclusive tourist destinations around the UK.

What Sort Of Leisure Attractions Need Changing Places Toilets?

The term leisure attraction or tourist attraction covers a really wide and diverse range of businesses and locations in the UK. From museums and art galleries to sites of historical interest, including family attractions such as zoos and theme parks. Some attractions may have a mixed-use or offer different types of experiences.

One such diverse attraction RISE worked with is Lappa Valley. Lappa Valley is a family attraction in Cornwall, based around steam trains. Visitors can ride around the park and enjoy other attractions such as the boating lake and soft play areas. We installed a Changing Places toilet in the newly built Engine Shed facility. Managing Director, Keith Southell knew that installing a Changing Places toilet was essential for the attraction to modernise and improve accessibility, saying:

“We wanted as many people as possible to enjoy the attractions here at Lappa Valley,” he says. “A Changing Places toilet is an absolute must at any tourist attraction looking to modernise and extend their invitation to all members of the community, no matter their ability.”

Other attractions may include educational attractions that are geared towards children. RISE have worked with two very different but equally fantastic educational museums/attractions – the National Space Centre in Leicester and Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland.

Both attractions were similar in some respect as in both cases we were working at well-established sites where there could have been difficulties finding a place to situate a new Changin Places toilet. Both attractions did a great job establishing where they could spare space to install new facilities and we adapted the existing spaces into fully kitted out Changing Places toilets within a couple of weeks.

Woodhorn was pleased they chose us to carry out the work as they found our turnkey service eliminated a lot of the project stress for them. Building Services Manager, Mark Wright said:

“Don’t just opt for a local supplier or builder — use a specialist. Using a company like RISE, eliminates most of the stress from your project, as you’re not chasing multiple suppliers or subcontractors. Everything’s taken care of for you.”

Another leisure attraction where we helped boost accessibility was at The National Botanic Garden of Wales in River Tywi valley. We were thrilled to work on such a nationally important site and the staff at the gardens were excited that they were able to open their doors to many more families.