A public toilet that provides safe facilities for all abilities in the island is this year’s winner of a UK award.

Manx Museum won the aware for ’best registered’ changing facility at the People’s Choice Changing Places Awards 2018/2019.

The announcement was made on Changing Places Awareness Day on July 19, which is part of a campaign to see better public facilities for the disabled.

Aveso, the official sponsor of changing places, called the Manx Museum a ’very deserving winner’ as its facility includes a height adjustable changing table, an overhead powered ceiling hoist, an adjustable washbasin, a centrally placed toilet with room either side for carers and a ’beautiful’ mural to help create a restful location.

Next door is a ’quiet room’ for visitors who may experience heightened sensory anxiety. The changing room was also said to have ’excellent’ signage, access routes and friendly, inviting staff.

’It is clear that Manx Museum really go above and beyond to ensure everybody is welcome at their museum,’ it said.

Edmund Southworth, director of Manx National Heritage, said: ’The absence of suitable toilet and changing facilities can mean that people with disabilities are often limited to the places they can go or the length of time they can spend there.

’Providing a changing places toilet is the right thing to do. We’ve had some incredible feedback already, just proving every small individual use of the facilities can be life changing.

’Changing places allow people to come to town with the confidence and the security that they can use the facilities that they need.’

On winning the award, he said: ’I was shocked and incredibly humbled as it has come from a community of users who know what it means.

’Their perspective is worth far more than any critic or architectural award. This is hugely important and we’re very very pleased.’

The Manx Lottery Trust, Manx National Heritage Museum and National Trust together set up the facility.