SAINTS have created the first adult changing facility in St Helens - a much-needed space which will allow people with disabilities to be changed with dignity when they are out in town.

Numerous national news reports in recent years have highlighted the need for such facilities in towns and cities across the country, with stories of the humiliation endured by adults having to be changed on often dirty public toilet floors in full view of other people.

Now Saints, in conjunction with Community Integrated Care, have invested £10,000 in converting one of the toilet areas in the foundation wing of the stadium into a changing room, complete with a large bed, hoist and accessible toilet.

The room is open from early morning until roughly 8.30 in the evening, during stadium opening hours – and is accessible through main reception.

Steve Leonard, head of Saints Community Development Foundation, said: “It is not a gesture – it is a service and we don’t want to simply do it and say, ‘look what we have done’, we want it to be utilised and make a difference to people’s lives.

“This sort of facility has always been needed but nobody has done a great deal about it.

“We have a great partnership with CIC and we do loads of work together, so it was a no brainer for us.

“We have a great facility here in the community area. The gents toilet was massive so all we have done is rejig that and given that space up to the community.

“It will make a massive difference for some people. Anyone who is out and about shopping in St Helens, who needs it, will just have to call into reception.

“Now we want to promote it and let people know it is here. It is really accessible, it is dignified and private and we want it used.”

Liz Donnelly, regional manager for Community Integrated Care, explained that facility will give a degree of freedom to people with a disability and their carers.

She said: “It is important for the community. Anyone who needs disabled access changing facilities in St Helens can come here, so people going out and about their day do not have to go home to use the bathroom.

“Previously people either have to travel on to Liverpool for facilities, which they are unlikely to do, or go home and so they are not able to enjoy being in the community like other people, simply because there are no bathroom facilities.

“Potentially the alternative is a toilet floor and that is such a degrading experience that it is not an alternative at all.”

The changing facility is just another step that club is making to be a real part of the community – and be more than a place for a Friday night match.

“I have said all along, when I was growing up, St Helens rugby league club was the hub of the community, and everything we are doing is trying to get that back.

“The Foundation is working, along with our various partnerships, to do that .

“It is not just what the club are doing on the field, but off it too to do the best for the community,” added Steve Leonard.