Over 500 new life-enhancing Changing Places toilets set to be built across England
Thousands of severely disabled people who need specialised facilities when they are out and about will benefit from over 500 new Changing Places toilets in England presenting a big opportunity for mobility and access firms supplying such equipment.
The Chancellor confirmed in his Spring Statement over £23.5 million has been allocated to 191 councils across England to install life-enhancing Changing Places toilets in public places and tourist attractions, dramatically increasing accessibility in areas where users want them most.
There are currently just over 1,300 registered Changing Places toilets in England – these are larger accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers. Today’s package will bring the total number of Changing Places toilets to 1,813.
An additional £6.5 million will be allocated in a further round later in 2022 and will focus on areas where there is little or no access to Changing Places toilets.
Ministerial Disability Champion Eddie Hughes MP said: “It goes without saying that people with severe disabilities, their families and carers should be able to go shopping, plan a day out or travel without needing to worry about whether they will have access to suitable toilet facilities.
“I am delighted that our funding today will help provide over 500 new Changing Places Toilets in England, enabling people to enjoy everything their local area has to offer with dignity and freedom.”
In a study by the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers in 2021 families and carers said the top locations where these facilities should be made available were country parks, open spaces, tourist attractions and transport networks, as the journey to the destination is a key factor in planning a day out. The top venues were beaches and the seaside, motorway services and parks or gardens.
New facilities will now be built in the following venues:
- Public parks and open spaces
- Tourist attractions including historic properties, seaside resorts and zoos
- Cathedrals
- Museums, theatres, and galleries
- Shopping malls
- Libraries and public buildings
Robert Burley, Director of Care, Communications and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, which co-chairs the Changing Places consortium, said: “We’ve provided specialist support to the Levelling Up department throughout this process, and we’re really pleased that local authorities will soon be told the outcome of their application.
“We look forward to supporting councils that have been awarded the funding with their Changing Places toilet installations, because they really do make a world of difference to those who depend on them.”
Healthcare equipment provider Innova Care Concepts recently supplied and installed a new Changing Places facility at Lord’s Cricket Ground, helping to improve accessibility to disabled supporters.
https://thiis.co.uk/over-500-new-life-enhancing-changing-places-toilets-set-to-be-built-across-england/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ropox-Changing-Places.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ropox-Changing-Places-150x150.jpgInvestments & FundingNewsroomSector NewsThird Sectoraccessible,changing places,funding,levelling up,Muscular Dystrophy UK,Spring Statement,toiletsThousands of severely disabled people who need specialised facilities when they are out and about will benefit from over 500 new Changing Places toilets in England presenting a big opportunity for mobility and access firms supplying such equipment. The Chancellor confirmed in his Spring Statement over £23.5 million has been...Liane McIvorLiane McIvorliane@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine