Changing Places For Leisure Centres

Introduction

In the UK, leisure centres are usually council-owned with many centres operated by private companies. Often playing a large role within the communities they are situated in, leisure centres act as a hub where people can gather to keep fit, have fun, and generally enjoy the facilities.

Unfortunately, due to the age of some public leisure centres and a lack of government investment, many people with severe disabilities can’t enjoy these important community facilities because of a lack of suitable toilet, changing and dressing rooms.

About Changing Places

Changing Places toilets are a simple, yet life-altering concept. These special toilets enable people with complex disabilities to enjoy more time out of the house by providing an appropriate, safe, and hygienic environment for using the loo or having continence wear changed.

Many people with disabilities can’t use standard disabled access toilets as there is neither the space nor equipment for their assistants or family to safely transfer them to a toilet or change continence pads.

A Changing Places loo gives over twelve square metres of space – plenty of room for a visitor, plus one or two assistants, and feature an adult-sized changing bench, hoist, and peninsular toilet. These enhanced facilities give people choice when it comes to their care and enables them to spend longer away from home, knowing a comfortable option is available when it comes to using the bathroom.

Accessibility – The Leisure Centre Problem

To disabled people and their family members, leisure centres can be quite tricky to navigate or sometimes impossible.

Many centres are not practically equipped with the space or equipment for people with disabilities to change into their swimwear, use the toilet, or access shower facilities. Standard disabled dressing rooms may have more space but are very rarely equipped with a hoist or loo.

The role of Changing Places toilets in leisure centres is unique as they almost double up on their usefulness by providing one private, safe space for guests to change, shower, and use the bathroom – as well as providing enough space for up to two family members or assistants to be present with a guest.

A ‘standard’ Changing Places facility already comes equipped with a changing bench, hoist, and toilet providing leisure centre visitors with a private space to get changed into swimwear making use of the hoist and bench. Non-slip safety flooring is also fitted in most standard Changing Places toilets.

However, Changing Places can very easily be kitted out especially for leisure centres by adding in a shower. This means visitors can change and shower after they have enjoyed the facilities – just like other guests would. Showers can be installed in the corner of the room with a flat floor, drainage, and shower seat – ‘wet room’ style. The ceiling hoist can be configured to enable safe transfer between the shower area and changing bench.

Alternatively, showers can be installed over changing benches to accommodate people with very limited mobility. The choice between the two often comes down to the space available – a separate shower area will take up more space.