Adapting to realise vision of optimum independence

“The training programmes undertaken by students in these flats prepare them for the transition to adulthood and for many, towards their goal of living in their own homes independently.”

A vision of creating a better world for children with severe and complex needs is being realised- right through to their personal hygiene.

The Treloar Trust has completed Vision Treloar’s, a £20m project to create one, nationally recognised, educational and residential centre of expertise for young people, on a single campus.

The vision has extended through all aspects of the students’ lives – including appropriate equipping of the independent living skills flats, designed specifically to enable them to be independent and 11 Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita wash & dry toilets fitted across a number of the flats.

Looking like, and capable of being used as, a conventional WC, the Palma Vita has in-built facilities which automatically wash and dry the user after toileting. Therefore the user does not have to manually clean – or be cleaned – by a carer and achieves a consistent, high level of cleanliness/personal hygiene when using the toilet. Unlike similar toilets, the Clos-o-Mat can be personalised at initial installation and later to meet the individual needs of the user.

Treloar’s Facilities Manager Chloe Stoneham said, “The training programmes undertaken by students in these flats prepare them for the transition to adulthood and for many, towards their goal of living in their own homes independently. The Clos-o-Mat toilets help ensure our students have the ability to maximise their independence with personal hygiene, promoting increased dignity and privacy – important to all, but especially valued by the young people approaching adulthood.”

Treloar’s Head Occupational Therapist Victoria Pitt added, “We have found the Clos-o-Mats easier to use and more compatible with a wider range of shower chairs. We have almost 160 students here, all with individual requirements, so we need equipment to be as adaptable as possible. The Clos-o-Mats are user-friendly, not too complicated and can be adjusted to suit individual needs- for example controls can be adapted to the person using them.”

With the Clos-o-Mats installed at Treloar’s, there are now 50,000 in place across the UK including in individual homes, care establishments and a range of schools – both specialist and mainstream.

Full details of equipment are available on the company’s website HERE