Changing Rooms, Changing Places Toilet
4
4
Date of visit: October 2024
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
Moss Side Leisure Centre is part of a complex that includes Hulme High Street Library. It's a community facility with more than meets the eye, featuring a gym, swimming pool, a pool pod for disabled swimmers, and a Changing Places toilet.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The building has large automatic sliding doors at the entrance. As you enter, you'll find seats and power outlets on your left, which can be used to charge phones, tablets, and powered mobility devices. If you continue down the room, you'll find the reception desk, which has a lowered section. Passing through the hallway will take you to a set of double doors that open to the pool changing area. The Changing Places toilet is at the back of the room. Due to the area being used for swimmers to change, the floor can be wet, but the tiles didn't appear to be slippery. The entire ground floor has level access. Large accessible changing rooms are also available. I didn't observe any alternative formats; the signage was minimal.
Parking & Transport
Good
There are parking bays on the street, with pay-and-display parking just across the road from the entrance. Underground parking is also available, though it's a good idea to check the charges beforehand. Despite the busy area, no buses run along Hulme High Street. However, the 85, 85A, and 720 services stop on nearby Greenheys Lane West, about a three-minute walk away.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The Changing Places toilet is spacious, as one might expect. There's a large adjustable change bed, which is adjusted by the use of a lever, rather than powered by electricity and a ceiling track hoist. A shower is installed at the foot of the bed. The toilet seat and grab rails contrast with the rest of the room, and the emergency cord is on your left when seated. The toilet has space on either side for a wheelchair transfer. The sink is also adjustable and features a large basin with a lever-style tap. A colostomy shelf has also been installed. A poolside wheelchair was stored in this toilet but looks like it had seen plenty of use and was not obstructive - as such I wouldn't mark this down. The door opens outwards and does not require a RADAR key to unlock. There's a second accessible toilet in this area, which also features a shower, a toilet pan and a shower seat.
Staff
Excellent
Everyone I met was exceptionally friendly and more than happy to show me around and explain the features of the toilet. Having a facility like this in a community area is fantastic, even more so when the staff are knowledgeable.
