LFC receives gold standard for facility

Liverpool are one of only two Barclays Premier League clubs to install a Changing Places facility, which is a fully accessible toilet with additional equipment such as; a mobile hoist; a changing bench custom made in LFC red and enough space for up to two carers.

The new facility, which is located in the Kop at Anfield, was recognised as a gold standard facility by Astor-Bannerman (Medical) Ltd - Manufacturer of Changing Places equipment and half of the official campaign sponsor Aveso Ltd.

Changing Places provide life changing facilities for thousands of people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants.

Standard accessible toilets don't provide changing benches or hoists and are often too small to accommodate more than one person. This means that people with serious impairments and disabilities and their families are often forced to change their loved one on a toilet floor.

Anthony Kilgarriff, director, Astor-Bannerman (Medical) Ltd, said: "It's fantastic that Anfield as the home of Liverpool FC have become the second Premier League club to act upon the needs of their disabled supporters making sport more accessible for all.

"Football is a sport enjoyed by so many and fans should have the right to support their team, regardless of their abilities and needs."

There are now 695 registered Changing Places toilets in the UK since the campaign started back in 2006.

Andrew Parkinson, operations director at Liverpool FC said: "We are delighted with our new gold standard Changing Places toilet at Anfield. We have worked closely with the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association and our official Supporters' Committee to ensure that the facility meets the needs of our disabled fan base who we hope will really benefit from it."

Katie Price, disabled representative for the Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee, added: "It is great news that the Club has been awarded gold standard for the Changing Places facility. This now allows all disabled fans the ability to use this and the have an overall improved matchday experience."

Tom Hutchinson, vice chair of the LDSA, added: "This facility will open the door for all types of disabled fans to be present at future LFC fixtures. Hopefully the club's new Changing Places facility will be a flagship for all football grounds across the country."

For more information about changing places please visit www.changing-places.org/.