Changing Places facilities Harrogate.
Over a 1/4 million people need Changing Places toilets to enable them confidently enjoy days out that many of us take for granted. Standard accessible toilets (or “disabled toilets”) do not always provide changing benches, hoists and most are too small to accommodate more than one person.
Today Paralympic World Champion Hannah Cockroft MBE DL and European Champion Nathan Maguire opened our new Changing Places facilities.
Our Changing Places toilet will allow all visitors to attend and enjoy events.
World champion Hannah who’s from Halifax said: “It’s fantastic to see the Yorkshire Event Centre leading the way in accessibility and making everyone feel welcome at their events. Facilities such as these are few and far between. The lack of accessible changing places around the country makes it hard for disabled people and families of disabled people to have days out and feel included in society. I’m really happy that events like the Great Yorkshire Show will now be completely inclusive and can really be enjoyed as a family day out for everyone.”
The Changing Places facility in Hall 2 will be open during events held at the Yorkshire Event Centre. Spacious and fitted with a range of equipment to assist visitors who can’t use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.
Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “We have listened to our visitors and are delighted to now offer a Changing Places facility. This has been a significant investment for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Which we feel is important in ensuring we can make the Great Yorkshire Show and other events held at the Yorkshire Event Centre and on the Showground are accessible for everyone.”
Our Changing Places facility features the following –
- Bench – Height Adjustable, Adult Sized, Wall Mounted
- Hoist – Ceiling , Loop
- Peninsular Toilet
- Washbasin Height Adjustable
- Non Slip Floor
- Floor Space (sq. m) – 24
- Emergency Alarm
- Privacy Screen
- Paper Roll
We spoke to Clare Lucas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Muscular Dystrophy UK, which co-chairs the Changing Places Consortium. “Thousands of people living in Yorkshire use Changing Places toilets, and we are delighted the Yorkshire Event Centre has recognised this need. Disabled people go to work, socialise and enjoy days out just like everyone else, but a lack of Changing Places toilets often leave them isolated and unable to leave their homes.
“We would encourage other venues to follow the example of the Yorkshire Event Centre, and won’t stop campaigning until there are enough Changing Places facilities nationwide.”
For more information on visiting the Yorkshire Event Centre or the facilities available please contact us.
If you are an event organiser and would like to hear about changes and news from the YEC please see Venue News.
