Closomat and Hillrom launch Changing Places website to drum up awareness around the facilities
Hillrom (Liko) and Closomat have jointly launched a new dedicated Changing Places website which aims to educate visitors about the importance of installing the facilities in public places and inform them about building regulations and compliance.
The partnership brings together Closomat’s expertise in accessible bathing equipment and Hillrom’s (Liko) speciality in patient handling products to provide a complete service, from offering all the necessary specialist equipment through to installation.
Six months ago, the two companies decided to create a unique resource for people to learn more about the importance of Changing Places.
James Rhodes, Marketing Manager at Hillrom, told THIIS: “We know that there are many disabled individuals within the UK who don’t have a place to change, which can really affect their dignity when they are out in a public area. So, we wanted to drum up awareness surrounding Changing Places facilities.”
The new website is aimed at both the general public and the relevant locations that might want to install a Changing Places unit in their building.
Commenting on why the two companies felt it was important to drive awareness about the facilities in the UK, James said: “I think it all comes down to the disabled individuals who don’t have the facilities to go to the bathroom or to get changed when they’re out and about. Some individuals are reluctant to go to a public place because they fear that there will be nowhere for them to change or to go to the bathroom.
“We wanted to increase the dignity for these people whether they’re in a town centre, watching a football match or going to a concert. They should have the same ability to go to the bathroom as anybody else.
“Changing Places facilities are also very important for carers. If the right equipment is not available for the person they are caring for, there’s also the risk of injury to the carer who might be forced to manually take their clients out of their wheelchairs, get them onto the floor and then get them back into the chair.
“So the importance of raising awareness about Changing Places is two-fold: you’re improving carer safety as well as improving dignity and making people feel more confident and comfortable when they’re going to public places.”
On the website, there’s some background information on the population that requires a Changing Places toilet and why they’re necessary for public spaces. The resource also covers the type of equipment that’s required in a Changing Places facility alongside building regulations and compliance.
In the 2020 Budget announcement, the UK Government revealed a £30 million Changing Places Fund to help make public places more accessible to disabled people. The investment will see the Government match-fund the costs of installing the facilities into existing buildings in England.
Importantly, the 2020 Budget also confirmed that Changing Places toilets will be compulsory in new public buildings by the end of the year following consultation of proposals to make it a mandatory requirement in all new, large, publicly-accessible buildings and significant redevelopments.
Additionally, the website features some customer and local MP testimonials on how important it is for them to have the facilities. It also covers technical support on how Hillrom (Liko) and Closomat can assist with project management.
James added: “There’s an ultimate guide available as well: a providers’ guide which can be downloaded to give them a one-stop-shop of all the necessary information they require, so they don’t need to keep searching online for the information.”
To view the new Changing Places website, visit: https://changingplaces.co.uk/
https://thiis.co.uk/closomat-and-hillrom-launch-changing-places-website-to-drum-up-awareness-around-the-facilities/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Changing-Places-2.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Changing-Places-2-150x150.jpgNewsroomSupplier NewsTrade Newsaccessible bathing equipment,accessible toilet,changing places,Changing Places Fund,Changing Places website,Closomat,Hillrom,Hillrom (Liko),patient handling productsHillrom (Liko) and Closomat have jointly launched a new dedicated Changing Places website which aims to educate visitors about the importance of installing the facilities in public places and inform them about building regulations and compliance. The partnership brings together Closomat’s expertise in accessible bathing equipment and Hillrom’s (Liko) speciality...Sarah SarsbySarah Sarsbysarah@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine