Panto stars open Watford Mencap’s head office

On Wednesday afternoon, the 22nd of December, members and supporters of Watford Mencap gathered at The Old Town Hall in Rickmansworth, for the official opening of the Watford Mencap head office. Guests were treated to glasses of mulled wine and mince pies and were shown around the newly renovated premises.

 Attending the event, and cutting the ribbon for the official opening, were Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Councillor Ron Spellen and the cast of the Rickmansworth Pantomime including ‘Birds of a Feather’ star Linda Robson. Linda took time out between performances to attend the opening and meet some of Watford Mencap’s members.

 After the ribbon had been cut, guests were shown a brand new video about Watford Mencap and its services which will be used during their Diamond Jubilee next year. The video can be viewed at: www.watfordmencap.org.uk/home/children

 The opening of the building was also teamed with the opening of Watford Mencap’s Changing Places toilet. A Changing Places toilet is a fully accessible toilet, with a hoist and changing bench, suitable for people with profound disabilities. Thousands of disabled people, including 40,000 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, need Changing Places toilets. Without these facilities, families have to change the person they care for on a cramped and dirty toilet floor. The alternative is to limit outings to a few short hours - or not to go out at all. The Old Town Hall has become the first place in Hertfordshire to host a Changing Places toilet.  The toilet is also part of the community toilet scheme and is available to the public from 9am-5pm on weekdays.

Posted on Thursday, 23rd December 2010