Enjoying a day at the park with the help of new facility

A new Changing Places toilet was recently opened at the park. The unit is one of the most advanced forms of accessible toilets. It includes specialist equipment with plenty of room for the user and carer.

The Council has installed five new Changing Places toilets at the War Memorial Park, Coombe Abbey Park, Shop Mobility, Albany Theatre and at Tesco - Cross Point.

Visitors have been impressed. Bushra Shah, who is in Y9 at Sherbourne Fields School, was one of the first people to visit the facility at the Memorial Park. She said: "It's amazing. It's also useful and it's got everything you need. You don't have to go home and can enjoy more time out."

Marie Geary, a teacher at Sherbourne Fields School, added: "We all know how important it is to get outside and enjoy a day in the park in the fresh air. It's great that we have this venue because we don't have to make extra plans, we can be more spontaneous and spend all day here. It makes a big difference."

Changing Places are toilet facilities for people with profound and multiple disabilities. The toilets are fitted with specialist equipment such as a hoist and changing bench. 

They provide sufficient space for up to two carers to support the person with a disability to use the Changing Place. 

The toilet facilities will ensure that people with severe disabilities and their families or carers will not have to worry about whether there are suitable toilet facilities when they go out shopping, plan a day out or travel.

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, said: "It really is fantastic to see more of these venues across the city. More importantly, is that they make a massive difference to people lives - without them families would only be able to stay for a short time before having to go home.

"I think they are really impressive, very spacious and I really hope we can find a way to build more of these facilities in other parts of the city."

Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: "It's a beautiful venue and lovely to know that more people can enjoy both this park and Coombe Country Park and in other locations. It means more choice for people, carers and families."

Coventry City council is committed to making our city more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and their families. Officials say they know that being able to access shops and leisure facilities is important for their wellbeing, so providing good toilet facilities is a top priority.

Coventry City Council is one of a number of local authorities across the country to have secured the funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to install modular Changing Places toilets in the city.

Coventry City Council were awarded more than £260,000 of government funding to install the five new Changing Places toilets in the city to help improve lives of severely disabled residents.

There are also seven other Changing Places toilets registered in Coventry, at: The Reel Store; Wilfred Spencer Centre; Asda Whitley; Central Library; University of Warwick Sports and Wellness Hub - Dry Sports and University of Warwick Sports and Wellness Hub - Pool side and Coventry University.

The Wave and the Coventry Railway Station also have the facilities.

For more details visit their website.

Published: Wednesday, 17th July 2024