Accessible toilet facilities open at The Meres Leisure Centre

The first of four new disabled toilet facilities to be built across South Kesteven has now opened at The Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham.

South Kesteven District Council was awarded £160,000 as part of the Government’s Changing Places Fund to build specialist facilities at The Meres Leisure Centre as well as Bourne Corn Exchange, The Shack at Stamford Recreation Ground and the Grantham Tennis Club.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Kelham Cooke said: “Following the completion of the toilets at The Meres Leisure Centre, I am pleased that we are well on the way to delivering accessible facilities for those that need it most.

“It is important that South Kesteven is a safe, comfortable and accessible District for people to live, work and visit and through the Changing Places Toilets, we can provide facilities that meet the needs of everyone.”

Changing Places Toilets are larger, wheel-chair accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard facilities. They are designed to support users, their families, and their carers.

They are equipped with ceiling track hoists, privacy screens, support rails and height-adjustable, adult-sized changing benches.

Cllr Annie Mason, Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities said: “I am delighted that we are working in partnership with Changing Places Toilets to make a real difference to our communities. Everyone deserves the freedom to enjoy their local area and being able to access safe and comfortable facilities outside of the home is vital.

“With nearly 1800 registered Changing Places Toilets across the UK, it is clear that they are making a real difference to communities.”

The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations and individuals with the shared focus of supporting the rights of people with disabilities. At the heart of their Changing Places Campaign is the call for accessible toilets to be installed in public places across the UK.

As co-chairs of the Consortium, Muscular Dystrophy UK also works closely with local authorities that have been awarded funding to provide specialist expertise, technical advice and training.

A spokesperson from Changing Places Toilets and Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “At Muscular Dystrophy UK, we are delighted to see a new Changing Places Toilet built and complete as part of the Department of Levelling Up Funding Programme.

“It is essential, for over a quarter of a million people across the UK, that these facilities can be accessed with dignity and reassurance. The new addition at The Meres Leisure Centre will enable everyone in the community to come to visit, participate and enjoy the centre.”

The Changing Places Toilet at The Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham is located on the ground floor, through the double doors near the café and the main sports hall.