A new Changing Places Toilet facility has recently been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, within the National Forest. Delivered with grant funding from the Government’s Changing Places Toilet Fund with support from Lichfield District Council, in association with Muscular Dystrophy UK, the new toilet facility will help improve the visitor experience for people who require additional support that is not met by standard accessible toilets.
See the toilet on the Changing Places Toilet map
The Changing Places Toilet installation at the Arboretum was completed by Astor Bannerman and sits alongside the site’s existing accessible toilet facilities. Before the installation of the new permanent facility, the Arboretum had employed the services of Mobiloo to provide a temporary attended Changing Places Toilet at significant events.
Penny Revitt worked with the Arboretum to ensure that the new facility would offer a welcoming environment for users in addition to being a functional space. She previously used to visit the Arboretum with her son Sam and was eager to support the delivery of this important new facility.
Penny said,
“The National Memorial Arboretum team has done a wonderful job in setting up the room, creating a welcoming and generous space. Having previously visited with our son Sam, who had complex needs, we are well aware of the way in which having this facility will enable others to enjoy their visit. Knowing that personal needs can be addressed on-site allows such visitors to be able to relax and plan an extended visit without worry, allowing them to enjoy the day.”
The equipment in the Changing Places toilet includes:
– Astor CTE2-CP Changing Table
– ABW-CP Height Adjustable Wash Basin
– Peninsular Toilet
– Shower
– KwickScreen Customised Wall Mounted Privacy Screen
– Accessories including support rails
Mark Ellis, National Memorial Arboretum Lead, said,
“We are always looking for ways to make the Arboretum more accessible, improving the overall visitor experience. The grant from the Changing Places Toilet Fund has helped us realise our long-held desire to create this much-needed facility for visitors who require additional support, removing potential accessibility barriers and ensuring that the Arboretum remains freely open to all.”
The National Memorial Arboretum within the National Forest in Staffordshire is the Nation’s year-round place to remember; it helps people to reflect and to be inspired, providing a space to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost in service. Since it opened to the public twenty years ago in 2001, it has grown into an inspirational living landscape, freely open to all.The 150-acre Arboretum is part of the Royal British Legion and has approximately 25,000 maturing trees and over 400 memorials. The garden and woodland site sits at the south western corner of the 200 square mile National Forest and was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2018 (Gold) at the VisitEngland awards.
ABOUT ASTOR BANNERMAN
Astor Bannerman offer the full range of products specified by Changing Places regulations, including fixed and mobile changing tables, hoists, height adjustable washbasins, toilets and accessories. We are always developing new products, and are proud to have developed the Astor Invincible, the first changing table designed specifically for Changing Places toilets.
ABOUT AVESO
The team at Aveso are passionate about Changing Places toilets. They have supported the official Changing Places campaign since 2013, and can provide free, expert advice on all aspects of the Changing Places planning and design process.