Changing Places at Center Parcs

KINGKRAFT INSTALLS CHANGING PLACES FOR CENTER PARCS

Center Parcs has recently completed the installation of Changing Places units at its villages across the UK.  KingKraft, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers, suppliers and installers of assisted bathing solutions was the chosen supplier selected to work alongside the Center Parcs team on each project.

This substantial investment by Center Parcs at its Sherwood, Elveden, Longleat and Whinfell Forest villages is the latest step in ensuring every guest can enjoy their Center Parcs experience.  As part of the contract, KingKraft also installed a KingKraft changing table and hoist to help improve an existing changing room at Whinfell Forest and also upgraded a changing table within the pool area.  “We believe that every guest should be able to relax and enjoy their break and make a conscious effort to ensure that our facilities meet the needs of all families.” commented Clare Winsor, Center Parcs Project Manager.

When Center Parcs made the decision to invest in the Changing Places scheme Clare and her team undertook extensive research to ensure they worked with a company that could provide the best levels of equipment, service and support. “From my first conversation with Andrew Moore at KingKraft I was impressed, and this was further enforced by the quality of equipment which they explained they would be installing.  This, combined with budget considerations led to us appoint KingKraft to undertake the projects at 4 of our villages as the Changing Places facility at Woburn Forest was installed when the village was opened.

Each Changing Places unit consists of a KingKraft mobile shower changer, Guldmann GH3 room cover hoist, a Ropox basin lifter with ideal standard basin and Ropox drop down arms.  “We only supply the best quality equipment and from our experience of installing Changing Places we know this combination works well for both the user and their family or carer” commented Dale Spademan, Sales and Marketing Director, KingKraft.

The KingKraft mobile shower changer in each unit is height adjustable and designed with weight bearing sides which allows the changing area to be made wider to ensure turning and rolling is stress free and all sides of the table can be easily accessed.  The height adjustment feature allows the table to be set at the correct height for the carer to eliminate the risk of straining their back when helping with changing and should the user be mobile enough to transfer themselves to the table it can be sufficiently lowered, therefore eliminating the need for hoisting.  Should the user require hoisting, the Guldmann GH3 has a maximum lift capacity of 250KG and incorporates profiled aluminium rails for smooth movement and transfer.  The hoist is continuously on charge throughout the room so there is no risk of the charge running out and the user does not have to remember to take the hoist back to a designated charging point once they are finished. As many users are at a different height either due to their disability or the height of their powerchair or wheelchair, each unit features a Ropox height adjustable wash basin which means all users mobile enough to wash their hands can do so.  Some users also use the basin to lean on for extra support.

In addition to the installation of the Changing Places, Center Parcs has also invested in extensive signage throughout each village and the company is currently looking to further invest in making several of the Changing Places dual purpose.  This will involve the units being accessible from both the pool side and dry side.

“We have been delighted with the work carried out and level of service before, during and after each installation by Andrew Moore and the rest of the KingKraft team and I would not hesitate in recommending them to other venues looking to install a Changing Place facility.    The feedback we have received from our guests regarding the Changing Place units has been extremely positive, highlighting how much it improves the overall experience and ease of their break. We have had comments about how simple it is to use the new equipment and we are pleased to know that this has further improved the accessibility of our breaks for families with additional needs” concluded Clare.

Over 250,000 people in the UK need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities which many of us take for granted.  The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or other physical disabilities. Established in 2005, the Consortium campaigns for Changing Places to be installed in all large public spaces so people can access their community.

“Since the campaign was launched, we are proud to have worked with many of the UK’s major construction companies and venues, in addition to Center Parcs, to provide Changing Places units in universities, airports, entertainment arenas and football stadiums. We believe it is incredibly important that everyone is supported in their right to have access to safe and comfortable facilities, therefore providing people with the confidence to attend these venues.  By overcoming the barriers that have previously hindered their ability to make the most of such venues a whole world of opportunity and enjoyment is now available to all regardless of their level of mobility” continued Dale.