Halo Offers Changing Places For Disabled People
Herefordshire Council has come to an agreement with Halo leisure centres over providing easily accessible changing places for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
Specially designed changing areas at Hereford Leisure Pool in St Martins Avenue and Leominster Leisure Centre in Coningsby Street are to be made available for use by disabled people, even if they are not using the leisure facilities.
Both of the centres have toilets with enough space for disabled people and their carers, and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist.
Councillor Olwyn Barnett, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for social care adults and health, said: "We are extremely grateful to Halo for offering this service which will greatly increase independence for disabled people.
"It will enable these people to enjoy a day out in Hereford or Leominster to go shopping or for a walk without their carers having the worry of finding suitable changing facilities. At present, the only option is to use public toilets which are not adequately equipped," she added.
At present there are no dedicated public changing rooms for disabled people and, ultimately, Herefordshire Council would like to see ones set up in Hereford city and the five market towns of Ross, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington and Leominster.
Haydn Roberts, manager of the Leominster Leisure Centre, said: "As part of our commitment to allowing all people to access leisure facilities in the county, we have specially equipped changing rooms at Hereford Leisure Pool and Leominster Leisure Centre and we are happy to offer these facilities to all disabled people.
"All we ask is that people telephone us in advance so we can make sure the facilities are not already being used and hopefully this will give carers extra freedom so they can enjoy a day out without worrying about finding suitable changing rooms," he added.
Mrs Rose Hunt, whose son Jonathan, 22, has profound disabilities said: "My son is striving to have a life like everyone else and this is one more step towards that and means he doesn't have to come home to be changed but can instead spend all day in either Leominster or Hereford."