Innova Care Concepts helps Changing Places deliver modular toilet at RHS Garden in Yorkshire
Changing Places supplier, Innova Care Concepts, is to install a modular Changing Places toilet facility at an RHS Garden in Harrogate this month, helping visitors with complex care needs to access the garden more easily.
The accessible toilets at RHS Garden Harlow Carr feature specialist healthcare equipment such as a height-adjustable changing bench and wash basin, ceiling track with hoist, as well as a privacy screen and shower facilities.
Over 250,000 people in the UK require access to a Changing Places toilet, as standard accessible toilets are unable to meet their care needs. Changing Places provide a hygienic, safe and comfortable facility for disabled people and carers. Larger than a standard accessible facility, it offers space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, with up to two carers present.
Without these facilities, some disabled people are often limited in terms of activities available to them, or even prevented from going out altogether. They may also find themselves compromising their health and dignity – or that of the people assisting them – by using unsuitable facilities. By including a Changing Place, a venue can vastly improve people’s quality of life, allowing disabled people and their families to stay out for longer and participate in more activities.
The new Changing Places toilet will be located in the car park at RHS Harlow Carr, enabling both visitors to the garden as well as members of the local community and visitors to the area to use the facility.
The announcement comes ahead of World Toilet Day on 19th November, a campaign that celebrates toilets and highlights the global sanitation crisis that affects billions of people around the world who are living without access to a safely managed toilet.
Liz Thwaite, Head of Site at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, stated: “Sharing our passion for gardening is a key charitable aim and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Gardens. The inclusion of the brand new Changing Places unit will, we hope ensure members of the local community and all our visitors can explore RHS Harlow Carr without worry.”
Derek Oliver, Changing Places Manager, Innova Care Concepts, commented: “It has been a privilege to help RHS Harlow Carr become more accessible by installing a modular Changing Places toilet. Outdoor venues are the number one area where those with complex care needs and their families want to see more Changing Places, so it is fantastic to see RHS Harlow Carr acknowledge those needs.
“Their new Changing Place will allow more families to enjoy the beautiful gardens without having to worry about where to find appropriate toileting facilities. We hope that many other local organisations will follow in their footsteps and take action to become more inclusive.”
Karen Hoe OBE, Changing Places Manager, Muscular Dystrophy UK added: “We are delighted to see this commitment from RHS Garden Harlow Carr with their new Changing Places toilet modular unit. By installing this new facility it will open up opportunities to the wider community to be able to visit the beautiful gardens and stay to enjoy all it offers.
“It will allow their visitors the dignity, comfort and reassurance that they can have their toilet needs met appropriately. We look forward to adding this one onto the national map.
Innova Care Concepts exists to enhance the quality of life of every person living or working in an environment where care is provided. Earlier this year, it helped Lloyds Banking Group become the first banking institution in the UK to have a registered Changing Places toilet.
