As co-chairs of the Changing Places Consortium, we work with venues, government departments, suppliers, and our amazing campaigners to call for Changing Places toilets to become a mandatory requirement under building regulations for all large public places, like shopping centres, and major leisure venues. To mark Changing Places Awareness Day, we’re celebrating some of the fantastic progress that’s been made and key events from the last year.
P&O Ferries
This year, P&O ferries became the first company in England to install a Changing Places toilet onboard one of their vessels.
The maiden voyage of Pioneer took place in June, on a journey from Dover to Calais. This vessel is the first of five new “ships of the future” planned by the company.
P&O are in excellent company, joining Northlink who installed the first-ever Changing Places toilet aboard one of their Scottish vessels in 2019.
DLUHC funding programme for local authorities
Since the Changing Places Awareness Day last year, the remaining funds from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities programme have been allocated and we’re now seeing new registrations coming in every week.
The programme of installations runs into next year – so make sure to keep an eye on our social media channels for all the new registration announcements. If you’re wondering where the closest Changing Places toilet is to you, don’t forget to check out the official map!
The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace
We were incredibly happy to announce, on the day of the coronation of King Charles III no less, that the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace installed a new accessible toilet!
Owing to the size of the space available in the listed building, we weren’t able to award the new toilet full Changing Places toilet status, but we were pleased to see all of the essential equipment included and a great commitment to inclusivity from the Palace.
Historic Venues
Many historic venues work hard to install a Changing Places toilet but are unfortunately restricted by the space available in their listed buildings, be it the size or shape of the space, or a ceiling that’s just too low.
In recognition of their efforts, this year we launched our “Historic venues” page to showcase all of these venues that have a toilet which is almost a Changing Places toilet, but isn’t able to be fully registered.
Lloyds Bank
On Changing Places Awareness Day last year, we were pleased to share that Lloyds had become the first bank to install a Changing Places toilet.
Following the successful installation at their London Old Broad Street site, Lloyds have now committed to making sure more of their sites are fully inclusive with the addition of further Changing Places toilets. Their second installation was at a Bristol Harbourside site this May.
Watch this space for more registrations!
We’ve been shortlisted for a National Diversity award!
We were thrilled earlier this year to learn that we’d been nominated for an award under the Community Organisation Award, Disability category. With so many wonderful nominees, we’re exceptionally proud to announce that we’ve now been shortlisted!
We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the awards ceremony in September.
...And everything else!
Along with all of these events over the last year, work on the campaign has continued as always. We’ve been continuing our relationships with our colleagues at Purple Tuesday and Changing Places campaigns around the world. Conversations with venues and organisations, including the National Trust, and as always, our campaigners have been busy speaking to venues and persuading them to install Changing Places toilets and raising awareness!
Thank you to everyone for all that you do in supporting the campaign – here’s to a brilliant year, and another one ahead!
For more information on the campaign and how you can get involved, visit our Changing Places information page or contact changingplaces@musculardystrophyuk.org.