People with disabilities and their carers will benefit from a new Changing Places facility which has opened at Gulliver’s Valley Resort, in Rotherham.
This is the latest of eight planned specialised bathrooms across the borough that have been installed after Rotherham Council secured almost £500,000 in funding.
The latest specialised bathroom provides a purpose-built environment, designed specifically to help disabled visitors and individuals with complex care needs, including people living with learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other conditions.
Located inside the entrance to the resort, the new Changing Places facility is fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and includes a height adjustable changing table, hoist, sink and toilet.
Changing Places bathrooms are larger than a standard disabled toilet and provide an area which allows wheelchair access, access for carers, and a safe, calming environment to help everyone, regardless of their disability.
The new facility will be registered with the Changing Places initiative, which was launched in 2005, to help improve facilities to support people living with disabilities.
Rotherham Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr David Sheppard said: “This new facility will be welcomed by many people who can find it difficult to enjoy days out with their friends, family and carers due to inadequate bathroom facilities at their destination or nearby.
“These Changing Places bathrooms offer more space and essential equipment than standard accessible toilets. They’re hygienic, safe and comfortable for disabled people and their carers. And because they’re larger than a standard disabled facility, they offer space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, with up to two carers in the room."
“The Council successfully applied for £490,000 from the former Government’s Changing Places Fund, which is one of the largest amounts awarded to any council. We’re using the money to open facilities across Rotherham, which will make the town more accessible to all people.”
Adam Bliss from Gulliver’s Valley said: “We are really pleased to have worked closely with Rotherham Council to open a changing places facility here at Gulliver’s Valley. It is extremely important to us that our resort is inclusive and accessible so as many people as possible can visit and enjoy a fun-filled day out with us. These new facilities will make a real difference and be of enormous benefit to all those who need them.”