Changing Places Case Study: Hainault Forest Country Park

Written by Kit Garrett
July 12, 2023

Once a royal hunting ground, the ancient Hainault Forest is now a Green Flag Award park with a boating lake, café, conservation activities, and a brand-new Woodland Trust visitor centre.

The park is now also one of the most accessible in the borough, thanks to newly revised wheelchair-friendly paths and the addition of a Changing Places toilet.

A Leafy Space for All

Near Romford, and just a short trip away from London, Hainault Forest Country Park is a green oasis. The forest, combined with land owned by the London Borough of Redbridge, makes up the larger area known as Hainault Forest Country Park. We collaborated with Vision RCL to adapt an existing toilet block and transform it into a new Changing Places toilet, with hopes this will increase the number of severely disabled people that can enjoy this important outdoor space.

The addition of a Changing Places toilet at Hainault Forest Country Park comes at an exciting time for the park as they have also just opened a visitor centre, café and event space. The Woodland Trust visitor centre is the first of its kind and having the new CPT means many more people will be able to learn about the forest and how to preserve it.

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Working In Partnership

We were contacted by Vision RCL, who operate a range of leisure, library, culture, parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Redbridge, to renovate an existing toilet block, transforming it into a new Changing Places toilet.

This project involved more building work than a modular CPT solution – we had to remove and extend blockwork to make the space the required size for a Changing Places toilet. We were also tasked with blocking up an existing doorway and creating a new, larger entrance suitable for wheelchairs.

Once the room was ready, we carried out all first and second fix work and included a bespoke wall mural. We fitted standard Changing Places equipment, including an adult changing bench, hoist, peninsular toilet and height-adjustable hand basin.

Making Green Spaces Accessible

The project was finished on time and within budget – we liaised with park rangers onsite throughout the build who were happy with the work we carried out. Access to the site was good so there was minimal disruption whilst we finished the new loo. The new Changing Places toilet is now open and ready to receive new guests and encourage more disabled people into open and green spaces.

The Changing Places adaptation work we carried out is an ideal solution for locations with an existing unused space and provides a cost-effective way of boosting accessibility. Accessibility is particularly important in green spaces such as Hainault so that disabled people can benefit from the positive effects of interacting with nature.

For further information about Changing Places or to schedule a free consultation, please get in touch.