Yesterday, Morrisons officially opened its first accessible, assisted Changing Places toilet for disabled customers to appear in any of its UK stores.
Intended for a more dignified experience, the washroom features more space than a standard accessible toilet, to accommodate the user and their carer(s), plus a height adjustable washbasin, hoist, mobile shower trolley, WC with drop down arms and a privacy screen. Without the additional space and equipment, shoppers who care for someone who needs help to go to the toilet would have to curtail their trip, or change their loved one on the floor.
The opening, attended by The Clough family - campaigners for ‘Changing Places’ - and local care providers, was intended to help promote awareness of the facility to those families and individuals who will benefit from it. With some users last week, this was the first facility available in any Midlands supermarket.
On the facility, Melissa-May Candy of We Are The Care Company who attended the launch said: “It’s such a useful facility to have in the local area and we’ll all be making the most of it.
“We work to support the elderly and those with a spectrum of health issues – we’re confident it will be of real benefit to our team members and those people we work with.”
Explained Frank Cromie, Morrisons Lawley store manager: “We’re aware of the number of customers who will really benefit from this. It’s a fantastic idea and offers a far more dignified experience for those who might otherwise typically use the floor of a disabled WC for changing.
“For many, conducting a weekly grocery shop is a family endeavour which requires the utmost planning and support from the store. We very much hope that this will make life a lot easier for our existing disabled customer base and possibly even encourage other members of the community to stop by.”
The new facility has been supplied and installed by Clos-o-Mat - Britain’s leading disabled toileting solutions company - in the Lawley, Telford store, as part of a fast-track project by construction firm ISG to create a new café and enhanced washroom/restroom facilities.
Added Kelvin Grimes, Clos-o-Mat Changing Places project manager, “The new Changing Places toilet at Morrisons means there are now over 600 open across the UK in a raft of places to which the public have access. Such toilets mean the 1/4million+ disabled people who need the help of a carer to toilet can visit more places, and stay longer, than they could otherwise do, without the stress and worry of being able to find and access suitable toilets.”
The facility is based at Morrisons’ Telford Store, Gresham Drive, Newdale, Telford, TF3 5ES.
Published 02/05/2014