CareSpaces by Wealden Rehab

Accessible toileting facilities are crucial in public spaces to meet the diverse needs of individuals. Changing Places toilets, such as the modular Care Capsule™, provide a portable and adaptable solution for those with disabilities, ensuring they can enjoy their outings comfortably. A recent project with the Sussex Wildlife Trust exemplifies the effectiveness of Care Capsule™ in upgrading existing facilities. Despite space constraints in the visitors and education centres, a modular unit was swiftly installed adjacent to the main building, offering accessibility without the need for extensive construction within pre-existing structures.The project, initiated in January 2023, aimed for completion by the end of March 2023. The tight timeline was met through efficient processes, including a prompt site survey, proposal acceptance, and swift groundworks. Overcoming challenges like relocating a power cable, the team successfully hoisted the Care Capsule™ into place. The exterior was clad in local chestnut timber to harmonize with the surroundings, while interior features like Altro non-slip vinyl flooring, White Rock welded wall finishes, and height-adjustable units ensured both functionality and aesthetic coherence.

The Changing Places toilet campaign urges the government to mandate the inclusion of Changing Places facilities in large public buildings during construction, redevelopment, or refurbishment. Care Spaces were approached to collaborate with Birmingham Children’s Hospital to implement a Changing Places facility. Initially, the chosen space was too small, prompting relocation. The Care Spaces team were able to design a layout, which they approved, and the project addressed challenges such as hands-free tap integration, drainage adjustments, and ceiling height modifications. Overcoming fire and water system issues, the completed Changing Place boasts user-friendly features, including sky ceiling LED panels and a mural wall.

Churchill Square, a bustling shopping hub in Brighton, underwent a significant transformation in 2022, closing its main customer toilet area for a multi-million pound renovation. The refurbishment included not only updating the main toilet facilities but also adding accessible WCs, mother & baby areas, a prayer room, and a Changing Places toilet. Graham Construction, the main contractor, enlisted our assistance for the Changing Places toilet installation. Addressing layout challenges during the initial site visit, we collaborated with the Graham design team to ensure compliance. Our detailed drawings and management through the Trimble Construction One™ portal streamlined the construction process. The installation featured a GoLift ceiling hoist, a thermostatic shower, a Premium 200 shower bench, a height-adjustable basin, and a wall-mounted privacy screen. We provided training for key staff, facilitated the Changing Places registration, and achieved a fantastic finish on this noteworthy project.

The North Northamptonshire County Council approached Care Spaces to create a Changing Place facility at East Carlton Country Park due to a high number of disabled visitors. With limited space in the existing Visitor Centre, we installed a Care Capsule™, a modular Changing Place toilet designed offsite for easy transport and assembly. Facing access challenges, the Care Capsule™ had to be delivered in kit form and assembled on-site. Electrical and plumbing services were extended to the location. To minimize environmental impact, ground screws replaced concrete for stability without harming the natural surroundings.The customisability of the Care Capsule™ allowed the client to match the unit with the Visitor Centre's aesthetics, featuring a brick exterior and a steel security door. The unit met Changing Places standards, including Fibo® waterproof internal cladding. Care Spaces provided awareness training to park staff, and the client is pleased with the results, emphasizing the importance of accessible facilities for all visitors. Cllr Matthew Binley expressed delight, stating the facility at East Carlton Countryside Park ensures worry-free visits for everyone.

The UK government aims to significantly increase the number of Changing Places toilets, designed for disabled individuals, across the country. In response, the Chancellor allocated a Changing Places Fund of £30 million in Budget 2021 to expedite their provision in existing buildings in England. Over 250,000 disabled individuals lack access to suitable public toilets in the UK, hindering their experiences in public spaces. Changing Places toilets, equipped with specialized facilities like ceiling hoists and adult-sized changing benches, address this gap. East Suffolk Council, with assistance from Care Spaces, integrated a Changing Places toilet into the redevelopment of East Point Pavilion, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. The facility received positive feedback during its grand opening, emphasizing its importance in creating an inclusive environment. The success of this project was showcased in a Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities webinar as a Best Practice example during the second round of Changing Places funding.

A man with a prosthetic limb faced difficulties in his small, impractical bathroom after a leg injury. Collaborating with an Occupational Therapist, Care Spaces redesigned the space, ensuring approval from both the therapist and the user. They revamped the bathroom into a functional wet room, addressing accessibility issues. Key features included a level-access shower, shower seat, non-slip flooring, safety grab rails, an accessible toilet, and basin. The transformed space now meets the user's needs, enabling independent living. Notably, the adaptation benefits the user's son, who has a disability, ensuring a lasting solution for the family.

Care Spaces played a crucial role in enhancing the living conditions of a private client, referred to as Mr B, who had experienced a spinal injury leading to a loss of physical independence. Collaborating with an architect to design a bespoke extension, we focused on the bedroom and bathroom to cater to his specific needs. The centrepiece of the design was an XY ceiling track hoist with a magnetic transition gate system, facilitating safe transfers between the bedroom and bathroom. Care Spaces also recommended bathroom equipment tailored to Mr B's needs, including a washer/dryer toilet, a static-height hand basin, and an Avero care bath with an air spa system for therapeutic benefits. With Mr B's approval, we oversaw the installation of the hoist system and bathroom equipment, provided necessary training, and ensure routine servicing for optimal functionality. Mr B is now delighted with his improved living space, and Care Spaces remains committed to maintaining the excellence of his care equipment.

The SEN Code of Practice mandates that schools must take reasonable steps to identify and support children with special educational needs, facilitating their progress toward personal potential. Recently, Care Spaces collaborated with Kent County Council for a Primary Academy in Gravesend, tasked with creating a hygiene room for a new pupil with additional needs. Despite challenges such as a small initial space, asbestos removal, and a tight timeline, the team reconfigured walls, installed essential features, and completed the project, providing the school with a compliant, safe, and inclusive space.