Wick supermarket opens upgraded facility
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A WICK supermarket has won praise from a local disability group for its upgraded toilet and changing room.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Louise Smith and Helen Budge from Caithness Disabled Access Panel (CDAP) did the honours of opening the new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilet facilities.
Louise, who is also project officer for Caithness Accessible Toilet Award Scheme, said: “We are so pleased that Tesco has gone the extra mile with this excellent Changing Places provision.”
Tesco has installed 70 Changing Places facilities in its stores across the UK to help those with complex disabilities use toilets safely and comfortably.
Wick joins Fraserburgh, Annan and Lockerbie as the only four in Scotland.
Changing Places is an initiative promoted by the organisation Promoting a More Inclusive Society (Pamis) which is the only organisation in Scotland that works solely with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families for a better life.
Jenny Miller, CEO of Pamis, said: “It is fantastic that Tesco is putting in Changing Places toilets across the UK and we are delighted that Wick Tesco has installed one.
"Pamis is keen to work with organisations and companies in Scotland to ensure that the standards of 12 square metres and appropriate design are followed. Our Scottish Government and cross-party support for ensuring our Scottish Changing Places toilets are accessible to all is something Pamis is proud and passionate about.”
A Changing Places toilet is a fully accessible toilet with the following additional equipment: a height-adjustable changing bench, an overhead track or mobile hoist, a peninsular toilet, a privacy screen and enough space for up to two carers as detailed in British Standard BS8300: 2009.
Pamis states that, at present, families are "severely restricted by a lack of facilities that enable them to have this basic need met" and are excluded from their communities and from travelling as result.
Wick Tesco community champion Karen Center said: "We are very honoured and privileged to have such a super-equipped facility in Wick and within our store.
"For people who require the use of a hoist, changing bench or centrally located toilet, disabled access can be an issue but we will be putting our toilets on the local Caithness Disabled Access page along with linking up with other national organisations so they are aware of such a fantastic facility."
Ms Center added that the upgraded toilet also benefits from a radar key access system, has accessible wheelchair access, remote control sinks which adjust to the desired height, a changing bench along with a support hoist, changing screen and accessible help cords in case users are in need of assistance.
Helen Budge, CDAP chairperson, said: "It’s great to see Tesco leading the way for equality and inclusion with its Changing Places initiative."
