Spalding’s South Holland Centre has become the first establishment in South Lincolnshire to have a toilet adapted to act as a disabled changing room.
The facility includes a changing bed and a hoist, which allows people with complex needs to be changed more easily by their carers.
It will meet the needs of all people with disabilities, who need the support of a carer to use the toilet facility.
Chairman of Spalding Action Group, Pastor Chas Sandhu, believes the new facility will increase the number of people who come to Spalding.
He said: “I believe it will encourage people who have disabilities to come into town with the knowledge that they don’t have to return home to meet their personal care needs.”
And Linda Hudson, of The Chappell Centre, thinks the facility will improve the confidence of people with needs.
She said: “The changing place in the middle of the town will help people with complex needs to improve the quality of their lives.
“It will also take the stress off being wet or soiled, it will bring confidence, and it will help them to stay dignified.”
Coun Graham Dark added: “I am delighted that we now have a fully upgraded disabled adult changing facility in Spalding, which includes an electric rise and fall bed, and I would particularly like to thank the centre manger Sally Harrison, Jo Wheatley and all other members of staff whose enthusiastic support and drive guaranteed this project would be a success.
“I would also like to thank the district councillors who made contributions from their personal budgets towards all new equipment and fittings.”
The facility is part of the nationwide push by Changing Places, which offers improved facilities for carers.
Mr Sandhu added: “It has been a long journey to get a Changing Places toilet facility in our town.
“I would like to thank specially Coun Graham Dark for his support in making this happen to our town.”
