Community centre installs Changing Places toilet

East West Community Centre in Leicester is said to be the only centre of its kind in the city and county to now offer a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet, supplied by Clos-o-Mat, a leading provider of such facilities, and installed by F Stimpson (Leicester).

The project, which involved refurbishment and remodelling of the building - funded by Leicester City Council - to accommodate the space on the ground floor, and give unimpeded, level access, was shortlisted for a regional design award.

Manager Ushma Mehta said: "It has definitely made a difference, helping to attract many people from the local community to use our facilities. Since installation the spacious and modern toilet and hoist facility has made our centre more inclusive. It means a lot of people who would otherwise be housebound and isolated can come and enjoy time here and socialise with others as we provide various services: day care, luncheon club, women's group, exercise sessions, etc.

“We aim to draw service users out of isolation, develop confidence and self-esteem; having appropriate toilets is just one element, but a vital one, of that - without them, people can’t stay as long as they would like, in case they need to ‘go’.

“Other groups in the community are getting to know about it, and are using the centre because of the facility. We just need even more to know about it, so even more people get out of isolation.”

Kelvin Grimes, Clos-o-Mat assisted accessible toilet project manager, said: “We go to the loo about eight times a day, so the chances are, if you’ve gone out, you will need a toilet. Without toilet facilities like this, many people feel that they can’t go out, because they need extra space, or lifting, or have continence issues.”