Pictured: Lisa Cook of Invacare Ltd and Awen Chief Executive Richard Hughes

Over 250,000 people around the UK need fully accessible toilet facilities to help them get out and about and enjoy experiences that many of us take for granted.

Invacare, a leading manufacturer of equipment for elderly and disabled people, is working with Awen Cultural Trust, the registered charity which operates cultural attractions and community centres around the County Borough of Bridgend, to make its toliet and changing facilities accessible for all.
 
The company have recently donated a Robin overhead hoist and E C Track ceiling track system, as well as a wall-mounted changing bed, which have been installed in the newly designed disabled washroom within the visitor centre at Bryngarw Country Park. The same facilities are also being introduced at a library in the Borough.
 
This equipment will allow disabled visitors and those with limited mobility to use the facilities, either independently or assisted by a carer, in safety and comfort.
 
The facilities are open to all – regardless of if the users are actually visiting the library or park.  This means that those who require this type of facility when out and about, have somewhere they can use in comfort and safety.
 
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:
 

“Over 250,000 people around the UK need fully accessible toilet facilities to help them get out and about and enjoy experiences that many of us take for granted. We have listened to some of our local users who face these challenges and we were determinted to take steps to help. Working with Invacare Ltd has been great – not only due to their generous donation, but also their invaluable experience in this area. Over one million people visit our venues each month, and we are committed to making the changes that will have a positive impact on their lives. We will continue to invest in improving accessibility and offering more opportunities for people with disabilities.”

 
Mark Prosser, Managing Director of Invacare Ltd, said:
 

“We are delighted to be working with Awen Cultural Trust to help support their accessible facilities initiative.  As a company with a long-standing reputation for providing solutions for those living with disabilities, we are very aware of the positive effect that the right equipment can have.  The introduction of assistive technology such as overhead hoists and changing tables means that disabled people as well as their families and carers can have fully accessible, comfortable and private washroom facilities.”

If you would like to find out more about the Invacare Robin and E C Track, or any of Invacare’s Moving and Handling products., please contact safepatienthandling@invacare.com, call Invacare on 01656 776200 or visit Invacare’s website www.safepatienthandling.co.uk.