Improvements at a venue already deemed a Centre for Excellence are enabling anyone with disabilities, no matter how complex, to enjoy the benefits of a horsey holiday.
Clwyd Special Riding Centre in Llanfynydd, Flintshire, is one of the UK’s leading disabled riding locations, offering equine experiences from hippotherapy through riding to equestrian vaulting, designed to improve confidence, and physical and emotional wellbeing.
To ensure visitors of all ages and disabilities could benefit from the facilities, the Centre has upgraded its 10-bedroomed accommodation block, for guests wanting to stay longer than a day. Key to the upgrade is enhancement of the accessibility of the two bathrooms and two shower rooms, achieved by partnering with Closomat, the UK’s leader in accessible intimate care.
“It was quite a complex project, as all the existing fixtures had to be removed, the upgrade executed, and all made good, in a very tight timeframe during one of the rare times the accommodation was not occupied! Our project management capability was of huge benefit to the Centre to achieve facilitate the upgrade as smoothly as possible, especially as the guest facilities are almost fully booked throughout the year,” observed Claire Haymes, Closomat CDM Compliance & Project Co-ordinator.
Closomat has installed a straight rail ceiling track hoist to facilitate transfer from bed to chair in the adapted bedrooms which have direct access to the two bathrooms. In the adjoining bathrooms itself, an additional ceiling track hoist helps safe transfer around the room to use the fittings.
A Closomat Palma Vita shower toilet with 50mm plinth and touch sensitive hand switch, height-adjustable washbasin, plus appropriate grab rails and drop down support arms, a mirror and bath completes each of the enhanced bathrooms.
In the shower rooms, the upgrade included provision of a new close-coupled WC, wash basin, support arms, grab rail, and inclusion of a folding shower seat.
“The combination of conventional and Closomat shower toilet, fixed and height adjustable washbasins, bath and shower with shower seat means we have addressed as far as possible all permutations of accessibility for intimate hygiene, and now have the capability to welcome all people with additional needs, regardless of complexity,” explained Centre manager Sorrel Taylor.
The inclusion of the hoists enables carers to safely transfer the person they care for without having to struggle to manually lift them, move them around the bedroom or bathroom.
The Closomat Palma Vita shower toilet with its integrated douching and drying means the user can toilet without having to, or have a carer, wipe clean afterwards, as the built-in functions ensure consistent and effective cleansing. With the touch sensitive hand switch, only the lightest pressure from foot, hand need be applied to trigger the flushing, douching and drying processes. The plinth sets the Closomat at the most appropriate height for smooth wheelchair transfer.
The enhanced accessibility of the residential accommodation compliments the existing accessible hygiene facilities at the Centre, which include a Changing Places assisted accessible facility, also installed by Closomat.
Closomat is Britain’s leading provider of helpful toileting solutions, at home and away. The Closomat shower toilet is the biggest selling unit of its kind, with the Palma Vita being the only integrated WC developed specifically for disabled people.
Uniquely, the company can provide an in-house, ‘one- stop-shop’ complete package for assisted accessible toilet facilities, from design and commissioning, through to project management, supply and installation, and can also provide subsequent maintenance and repair. Its website www.clos-o-mat.com is the ‘go to’ resource about accessible intimate care for providers and specifiers alike, with a raft of support information including white papers, CAD blocks, NBS specifications, video and case studies.
