Accessibility is riding high with Closomat

Improvements via Closomat at a venue already a Centre for Excellence are enabling people with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of a horse-themed 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, with the intention of improving confidence, as well as physical and emotional wellbeing.

To guarantee visitors of all ages and disabilities can benefit from the facilities, the Centre has upgraded its 10-bedroomed accommodation block, for guests wanting to stay longer than a day.

Vital 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.

Claire Haymes, Closomat CDM Compliance & Project Co-ordinator, commented: “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.”

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, an additional ceiling track hoist helps safe transfer around the room to use the fittings.

Each of the enhanced bathrooms are completed by a Closomat Palma Vita shower toilet – features of the Palma Vita include a 50mm plinth and touch sensitive hand switch, height-adjustable washbasin, appropriate grab rails, drop down support arms, a mirror and bath. 

In the shower rooms, the upgrade encompassed provision of a new close-coupled WC, wash basin, support arms, grab rail, and inclusion of a folding shower seat.

Sorrel Taylor, Centre Manager, commented: “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.”

The inclusion of the hoists allows carers to safely transfer a person, without having to struggle to manually lift or 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 is needed to trigger the flushing, douching and drying processes, with the plinth setting 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.

Contact:

Closomat
Building 1, Brooklands Place,
Brooklands Road,
Sale,
Cheshire,
M33 6SD,
United Kingdom

Visit Closomat's website

Visit Supplier's page