Famous seaside Galway resort now offering a more inclusive welcome to all with new ‘Changing Place’

Galway City Council has announced the opening of much-needed ‘Changing Places’ facilities next to the existing toilet block at the popular Ladies Beach, Salthill.

The facility was opened this week by Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare, in advance of the 2024 bathing season.

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‘Changing Places’ are facilities for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants with them. Facilities include a hoist, an adjustable height-changing platform, an adjustable height basin and a privacy screen, all of which provides safety and comfort for users as well as being integral to the care of people with profound and multiple disabilities.

The Changing Place will be open from 6am to 10pm daily. Access to the Changing Place is free, with a passcode. To get the passcode, users can call Customer Services on the number on the front of the Changing Places facility.

Mayor Hoare commented: “I’m delighted to officially launch this facility for people with multiple and complex disabilities visiting Salthill. It’s important that they can enjoy the Blue Flag beach, knowing they have comfortable and appropriate sanitary facilities available to them.

“This facility is specifically for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants with them and I would ask members of the public to respect that, and not to try to access the Changing Place. Wheelchair accessible toilets and changing areas on Ladies Beach are also available to the public at this location”.

Emergency procedures are in place, including alarms, and there will be a freephone 24-hour helpline provided in case of emergency.

This project was developed as a result of a motion that was proposed by Cllr Clodagh Higgins and agreed by all other voting members. The motion was to provide for a Changing Places Accessible Facility in the City to help enhance the dignity of someone who may need extra support and additional equipment during personal care tasks.

Cllr. Higgins said: “I am delighted to see that Galway’s first Changing Places facility is now open and I am proud to have driven this project since 2019 by first setting down a motion and then securing funding in the pact to deliver this much needed facility”.

“This facility will improve the quality of life of all those who need it by providing a safe warm and hygienic space that they can attend to their personal needs with dignity and safety.”

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