A vital new resource for individuals with disabilities has officially opened at Portland Centre in The Meadows, Nottingham.
The Changing Places Toilet (CPT), the first of its kind to the south of the city centre, was unveiled in a ceremony attended by local public figures, advocates, and staff of the facility. This included Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South and Paula Torres-Silva, Ministry of Housing, Local Government, and Communities (MHCLG).
Changing Places Toilets are designed to meet the needs of people with profound and/or multiple learning disabilities or other mobility-limiting conditions, who cannot use standard accessible toilets. These specially designed spaces offer much larger areas, hoists, adjustable changing tables, showers, and wider doors to accommodate users and their carers.
“I was delighted to attend the opening of the Changing Places toilet at the Portland Centre. So many leisure venues talk of being fully accessible but then forget children and adults with complex care needs who need toilets for those who need carer support and special equipment. The Portland Centre recognised the need and thanks to teamwork between the Notts County Foundation, the City Council and Government funding Portland is now fully accessible.
Congratulations to everyone involved in making the Portland Centre such an accessible and successful resource which everyone in the community can use’’. – Martin Jackaman, UK Changing Places Consortium
In partnership with Notts County Foundation, the Portland Centre was chosen as the first site for a Changing Places Toilet in the city’s southern region. This decision followed consultations with potential users, ensuring that the facility would meet the needs of those who would benefit most.
Notts County Foundation is committed to making its resources as accessible as possible, in line with its mission to promote equality and diversity in all its offerings.
Their Chief Financial Officer Sam Crawford said, ‘’We’re really proud to be able to house this facility, at our Portland Centre, which is our community hub.
This is part of a wider commitment that Notts County Foundation is making to help create new opportunities for local people with disabilities. We’re excited to be working with local people to design and develop new projects, that will inspire them to become more physically active.’’
The opening ceremony was led by Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, who officially cut the ribbon on the door to the new facility.
Attendees included:
- Sam Crawford, Chief Financial Officer, Notts County Foundation
- Melissa Beardsmore, Portland Centre Manager, Notts County Foundation
- Carole Bithell, Office of Lilian Greenwood
- Cllr. Michael Edwards
- Cllr. Samantha Lux
- Paula Torres-Silva, Ministry of Housing, Local Government, and Communities (MHCLG)
- Martin Jackaman, Changing Places Toilets advocate
- Matt Wheatley, Head of Economic Development at Nottingham City Council
Sam Lux the City Council Councillor, leading on Carbon reduction, Leisure and Culture commented; “I am really pleased to see this facility open. This brings the count to 19 across the city, although this is the first south of the City Centre. We want to see many more so that all the citizens and visitors to Nottingham can easily find toilets that meet their personal needs and allow them to maintain their dignity. Today is really pleasing as the idea for Changing Places Toilets came from Nottingham”
The initiative to increase the number of these toilets across the UK is part of the Government’s commitment to accessibility. The Ministry of Housing, Local Government, and Communities (MHCLG) funded local authorities, including Nottingham City Council, to install CPTs in existing buildings.
‘’Notts County Foundation are doing everything they can to ensure we can to reach and improve the lives of the local community. The new facility creates a safe and inclusive environment for those with disabilities or impairments.
We are committed to providing high quality and accessible projects, programmes and facilities that change people’s health. The Portland Centre is at the heart of the Foundation and so are its participants. Investing in a CP toilet is priceless for positive impact it will have on those who need it.’’ – Dianne Jackson, Chair of Trustees at Notts County Foundation
More information about Changing Places Toilets, including a full map of all CPTs in Nottingham, can be found on the official Changing Places Toilets website: changing-places.org.
