Shopping centre improves visitor accessibility with new modular Changing Places facility

Visitors to the Whiteley Shopping Centre in Fareham, Hampshire, with complex care needs will be able to access the toilet more easily thanks to a new modular Changing Places installation.

Opening in October 2022, the accessible toileting facility has been installed by Changing Places supplier Innova Care Concepts.

Mia Gordon, Centre Director for Whiteley, commented: “Making our centre inclusive and accessible for everyone is a major priority for us and we’re over the moon to be able to now offer these exceptional facilities.

“I do hope our new Changing Places facilities help to make Whiteley even more welcoming for our visitors and, as always, look forward to hearing any feedback from those using them.”

Over 250,000 people in the UK require access to a Changing Places toilet, according to the UK Government, as standard accessible toilets are unable to meet their care needs. Changing Places provide a hygienic, safe, and comfortable facility for disabled people and carers. Larger than a standard disabled facility, they offer space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, with up to two carers present.

Typically, Changing Places feature a range of assistive technologies, such as an overhead ceiling hoist, changing bench, and grab rails.

As the main contractor for the project, Innova Care Concepts supplied and installed the new facility, including specialist healthcare equipment such as an overhead hoist system. This helps eliminate the need to lift a person manually, reducing the strain on carers’ backs and the risk of injury to the person being transferred.

As a modular building, the Changing Place toilet is situated in the east car park by Harvester at Whiteley Shopping Centre, enabling easy access for families and those needing support from a carer.

Derek Oliver, Changing Places Manager at Innova Care Concepts, said: “Around a quarter of a million people in the UK need extra space and equipment to use toilets safely and comfortably, and it’s great to see destinations like Whiteley investing to ensure they are able to do so when visiting the centre.

“We are delighted to have worked with the team on this project, which means even more people can enjoy what Whiteley has to offer.”

Results from Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Changing Places survey in 2021 found that one in five Changing Places users, carers, and potential users found it impossible to have a day out without a Changing Place toilet on site.

Karen Hoe OBE, Changing Places Manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK, added: “We are so pleased to see Whiteley Shopping Centre has joined the growing installations of shopping complexes that have committed to adding a new Changing Places toilet facility.

“Their commitment to being inclusive will make a huge difference to hundreds of people who are dependent on these facilities on a daily basis. The addition of this modular unit will ensure more people can come to visit and stay longer to enjoy their shopping experience with comfort and dignity.”

Innova Care Concepts has been involved in a raft of Changing Places installations throughout 2022, including at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the first UK bank to register a Changing Places facility, and Greater London Authority.