Latest News
Changing Places Installation: David Livingstone Birthplace, Glasgow
The David Livingstone Birthplace in Blantyre, just south of Glasgow, is one of Scotland’s most significant cultural heritage sites. Dedicated to the life and legacy of the famous Scottish explorer and missionary, the museum and surrounding parkland welcome thousands...
How to Select the Right Height Adjustable Basin for Your Space
Choosing the right height adjustable basin isn’t just about features — it’s about how well it suits the people who’ll be using it, and the space it’s being used in. At Astor Bannerman, we’ve been developing assistive equipment for over 30 years, and our range of...
Changing Places Toilet Installed at Manchester Piccadilly Station
Manchester Piccadilly Station, a key gateway for travellers in Manchester, has enhanced its accessibility with the addition of a fully-equipped Changing Places facility. Located within the station’s main concourse, this important installation ensures that passengers...
6 Things to Consider When Specifying Accessible Bathrooms in Schools
Technical guidance for architects working on mainstream and SEND school projects Designing accessible bathrooms in educational settings is about more than just meeting building regulations — it’s about creating inclusive, dignified spaces that genuinely work for the...
Preparing Disabled Students for Life Beyond School: During and After School Years
As society becomes more aware of the importance of accessibility, it’s crucial to ensure that Disabled young people are not only supported throughout their education but are also empowered to live independently as adults. While schools and further education settings...
New Changing Places Toilet Installed at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham
A brand-new Changing Places toilet has been installed in Montpellier Gardens, right in the heart of Cheltenham. This popular green space, known for its tree-lined paths, floral displays and nearby cafés, is now more accessible to people with complex disabilities and...
National Trust Site Montacute House Adds Fully Compliant Changing Places Facility
Montacute House, a magnificent Elizabethan mansion in South Somerset, is one of the National Trust’s most architecturally significant sites. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens and surrounded by rolling countryside, it’s a popular destination for history lovers,...
Changing Places Facility Installed at Victoria Embankment Gardens.
Victoria Embankment Gardens, located along the north bank of the River Thames, is one of Central London’s most iconic green spaces. Tucked between Westminster and Temple, this well-loved area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the capital — surrounded by famous...
Challenges of Installing Hoisting Systems in Schools: A Specialist Perspective
Ensuring accessibility in schools is a critical part of inclusive education. One of the biggest challenges in both mainstream and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools is installing effective hoisting systems within Hygiene Rooms or for...
A Visit to RWA Bristol Changing Places, With Leo & Jess
As part of our mission to highlight accessible spaces, our team recently visited the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol with Leo and his carer, Jess. Known as the UK’s only regional Royal Academy of Art, RWA is a prestigious cultural venue that showcases...
Improved Transfers with Astor Kiva Bath and Neatfold Stretcher
For people requiring assisted bathing, ensuring a safe, efficient, and comfortable setup is essential. In this project, the client's existing Astor Bannerman bath, whic was more than 15 years old, needed to be replaced. Previously, the client had to be hoisted into...
OT Guide: Part Two – How Astor Bannerman Supports Every Step of Your Client’s Bathroom Adaptation
Undertaking a bathroom adaptation project requires careful planning and collaboration. As an OT, ensuring the best outcome for your client means working with an equipment partner who provides expert guidance, high-quality equipment, and ongoing support. A strong...
Discover Our London Showroom: Hands-On School Hygiene Room Demo
We’re excited to announce that our London showroom, located within the Kwickscreen Blue Garage (30 Engate St, London SE13 7HA), is now open for appointment-only demonstrations! This dedicated space features a fully functional school hygiene room and Changing Places...
Changing Places Installation: Lewisham Shopping Centre
Lewisham Shopping Centre, located in the heart of South East London, has taken a major step forward in creating a more accessible and inclusive environment for all its visitors. As part of a recent refurbishment, the centre installed a fully compliant Changing Places...
Changing Places Installation: Euston Station.
Euston Station, one of the UK’s busiest rail hubs, has made significant strides in accessibility with the installation of a Changing Places facility. Located within the main station concourse, this vital facility ensures that passengers with complex disabilities can...
Changing Places Installation at Attwell Farm Park
Attwell Farm Park, located in Worcestershire, is a family-friendly attraction offering a range of activities, from animal encounters to adventure play areas. Recognising the importance of accessibility, the park has taken a significant step forward by installing a...
The Royal Series: Part II – Changing Places at Kensington Palace Gardens: The Orangery
Continuing our journey through the UK’s most iconic royal sites, The Royal Series: Part II takes us to Kensington Palace Gardens: The Orangery. A location steeped in history, these grounds have long been a place of grandeur, refinement, and leisure for British...
OT Guide: Part One – Overcoming Bathroom Adaptation Challenges in Small or Inaccessible Spaces
As a community occupational therapist (OT), one of the key challenges you may face is finding practical solutions for clients with complex needs who live in small or inaccessible homes. Limited space can make it difficult to accommodate essential bathroom adaptations,...
A Visit To Bath Abbey Changing Places, With Leo & Jess.
Recently, our team went to visit Bath Abbey, an iconic piece of history and a true gem of the city. Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, the Abbey is an awe-inspiring example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. With its soaring stone...
Creating a Bespoke Accessible Bathroom for a Young Client with Cerebral Palsy
For many children with complex needs, bathing isn’t just about hygiene - it’s about comfort, relaxation, and dignity. This was especially true for our young client, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy (CP) who experiences significant uncontrolled movements. At home,...
The Royal Series: Changing Places at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle, located in the heart of Berkshire, England, is one of the most iconic royal residences in the United Kingdom. As the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been home to the British royal family for over 1,000 years. The...
Changing Places and the Law: What Venues Must Provide
In the UK, the provision of accessible toilets is a legal and moral responsibility for venues open to the public. While standard accessible toilets meet the needs of some disabled people, they are not suitable for individuals with complex disabilities who require...
Astor Bannerman at OTAC Glasgow: Supporting Scotland’s Disabled Community
This week, we are delighted to be attending the Occupational Therapy Adaptation Conference (OTAC) in Glasgow to meet with occupational therapists and professionals involved in home adaptations across Scotland. At Astor Bannerman, we’re passionate about working...
Inclusive Hygiene Rooms: Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Schools
We understand that not all disabilities are visible. While Changing Places facilities and hygiene rooms are often associated with physical disabilities, they play an equally vital role in supporting individuals with neurodivergent needs. For schools, creating a...
The Power of Collaboration on Our Sustainability Journey
Sustainability is often described as a journey rather than a destination, and for us at Astor Bannerman, it’s one that we’re still definitely on. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt so far, it’s this: collaboration and partnerships are invaluable. Reaching out to...
Reduce Personal Care Time by Half with Ceiling Hoists in School Hygiene Rooms
Providing effective care for students with complex physical disabilities in schools requires both time and effort. Traditional mobile hoist systems, while functional, can lead to time-consuming and physically demanding processes for carers. With the installation of...
Improving Accessibility at Dudmaston Hall with Changing Places Facilities
The National Trust is celebrating 130 years of preserving and sharing some of the UK’s most important places. At Astor Bannerman, we’re proud to support their mission by improving accessibility at sites like Dudmaston Hall with our Changing Places facilities....
Improving Daily Life: Accessible Bathing and Hoisting Solutions for a Young Child
At Astor Bannerman, we don’t just provide accessible bathing equipment – we partner with families to deliver thoughtful, tailored solutions that meet their unique needs now and in the future. By combining our expertise with a personalised approach, we ensure that...
H-Frame Hoist Installation: Nishkam High School, Birmingham
Astor Bannerman recently installed an H-Frame Ceiling Track Hoist in the hygiene room at Nishkam High School in Birmingham. This system provides safe and reliable support for students requiring additional assistance, ensuring the school’s facilities meet high...
Team Building: Building an Invincible Changing Table
We recently took a break from our usual routines to dive into something a little different — building one of our Invincible Changing Tables together as a team. As a UK manufacturer, we’re proud of the craftsmanship and care that go into every product we make. This...
Changing Places at University Station: Accessible Travel for Everyone
Astor Bannerman is proud to have supported the installation of a fully equipped Changing Places facility at University Station in Birmingham. Located within the station’s newly modernised building, this facility ensures individuals with complex disabilities can travel...
Changing Places Toilet at the National Memorial Arboretum
At Astor Bannerman, we are committed to helping public spaces meet the needs of all visitors. The installation of a Changing Places toilet at the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield demonstrates how thoughtful design and adherence to building regulations can...
Changing Places in Universities: Aston University
We are proud to have supported Aston University with the installation of a Changing Places facility in the Main Building of its central Birmingham campus. This vital addition ensures the university provides essential accessibility for students, staff, and visitors...
Upgrading a Bathroom for Accessibility, Therapy, and Independence
At Astor Bannerman, we pride ourselves on supporting families and individuals with mobility needs by designing and installing accessible bathroom solutions. In this case, the client’s stepfather reached out to us to update their bathroom equipment to better suit the...
Providing a Safer and More Comfortable Bathing Experience
We work closely with families, Occupational Therapists, and other professionals to design bespoke adaptations that enhance comfort, safety, and independence at home. In this case study, we explore how a carefully chosen bath and supportive features transformed the bathing experience for a young woman with complex care needs.
Transforming Accessibility in Mainstream Education: Our Lady Fatima School Hoist Case Study
At Astor Bannerman, we are passionate about helping schools create truly inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Recently, Our Lady Fatima School took a significant step towards accessibility by installing a Hygiene Room, complete with an Astor OT200...
An Accessible Bathroom Transformation for a Client with Limited Mobility
At Astor Bannerman, we specialise in creating accessible bathroom solutions that help people with complex needs live more comfortably and independently at home. Our team works closely with clients, their families, and Occupational Therapists, to design and install...
Melbourne Airport: Changing Places Installation (CHS Healthcare)
At Astor Bannerman, we are proud to collaborate with like-minded organisations that share our commitment to enhancing accessibility for all. One such collaboration is with CHS Healthcare, who recently installed a Changing Places facility in Melbourne Airport's...
Complex Hoist Installation in a Changing Places Facility at Fishponds Library
We take pride in delivering fully accessible Changing Places facilities, tailored to each project's unique challenges. One of our recent installations at Fishponds Library stands out as a testament to our team’s expertise and innovative approach to complex...
Astor Bannerman Showcases Innovative Bathroom Solutions and Research at the OT Show 2024
Astor Bannerman has arrived at the OT Show 2024, held at Birmingham NEC, ready to showcase its latest innovations in accessible bathroom solutions and share insights into pioneering research designed to improve the wellbeing of disabled people. Astor Bannerman’s stand...
Changing Places vs. Hygiene Rooms: Understanding School Specifications
In school settings, particularly in primary and secondary institutions, selecting the right accessible facilities is essential. Too often, architects specify Changing Places facilities for schools—a costly and frequently unnecessary choice that can create confusion...
Are Your Changing Places Drawings Compliant? Key Considerations For Your Drawings.
Specifying Changing Places facilities on architectural plans requires a precise understanding of building regulations and the unique requirements these spaces must meet. As demand for accessible spaces grows, creating a Changing Places room that is fully compliant...
Inclusive and Accessible: Our Visit to We The Curious
Our marketing team recently spent an exciting day at We The Curious in Bristol with Leo and Jess from L&J Cool Access Consultancy, two advocates for accessibility who joined us to experience just how inclusive this unique venue really is. Located in the heart of...
We Did It! Astor Bannerman Wins “Team of the Year” for Changing Places!
We are beyond thrilled to announce our victory as "Team of the Year" at the SoGlos Business Awards 2024 for our work with Changing Places and our innovative approach to the market. This award represents a monumental milestone for us and shines a spotlight on the...
Accessibility at Sainsbury’s Witney: Changing Places Toilet Facility for Inclusive Shopping
We’re committed to making shopping spaces across the UK more inclusive and accessible. Our collaboration with Sainsbury’s Witney is a significant step toward creating supermarkets where everyone, regardless of ability, can shop with ease, dignity, and independence....
Celebrating Phil Grant: Fundraising Hero for Muscular Dystrophy UK
At Astor Bannerman, we pride ourselves not only on the work we do but also on the incredible people who make up our team. One such individual is Phil Grant, a long-standing employee and a dear friend to us all. For many years, Phil has donned his iconic Wonder Woman...
Education Estates Manchester: Showcasing Innovations in School Hygiene Rooms
Astor Bannerman had an incredible time exhibiting at the Education Estates event in Manchester, October 15-16. Stationed at stand 117, our team showcased some of our most innovative equipment designed to enhance hygiene rooms in schools. This year’s event was all...
Inclusive Facilities: Changing Places Toilet at Yorkshire Dales National Visitor Centre
We are proud to support inclusivity and accessibility by supplying essential equipment for the Changing Places facility at the Yorkshire Dales Visitor Centre in Grassington. Our solutions are designed to ensure that individuals with complex care needs can fully enjoy...
New Accessible Changing Places Toilet at Page Park, Bristol
At Astor Bannerman, we are proud to have been part of the installation of a brand-new Changing Places toilet at Page Park in Bristol. This beloved park, located in Staple Hill, South Gloucestershire, is a cherished green space that offers a variety of recreational...
Changing Places Toilet: Manchester Museum
At Astor Bannerman, we are proud to have contributed to the creation of an inclusive environment at Manchester Museum by supplying essential equipment for their Changing Places facility. Our products help ensure that people with complex care needs can fully...