Eden District Council have been awarded £160,000.00 for the government’s Changing Places Fund as funding towards works at three venues in Eden.
Over 250,000 severely disabled people do not have access to public toilet facilities that meet their needs across the UK.
Changing Places toilets, unlike standard accessible toilets, have an adult changing bench and hoist facilities as well as extra space for carers.
The Changing Places Fund was launched in 2021 and made a public commitment to make £30 million capital funding available over 3 years to local authorities in England with the objective to increase both the number and geographic spread of Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) and to provide them in venues of greatest need.
Speaking on the announcement of the £7 million government funding allocation to build Changing Places toilets.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:
“As both a minister and a local MP I have called for more accessible toilets after hearing from parents of disabled children about the difficulties they have faced.
“I’m proud that this government has approved over 500 of these new facilities in shopping centres, supermarkets and sports venues.
“Today we are going further, with over £7 million to target areas that need support to install more accessible toilets. The money will help ensure that every family is able to have a day out with dignity and confidence”
Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison, said: Everyone deserves to have the freedom to enjoy their local communities – without the fear of whether or not they’re going to be able to access the facilities they need.
Today’s funding will see 120 new Changing Places toilets in places where they are most needed, helping ensure disabled people and their carers can go about their lives with dignity.”
Robert Burley, Director of Director of Care, Campaigns, and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK said:
“We’re very pleased that the remaining balance from this fund has been allocated. This is a wonderful outcome and will see increased provision of Changing Places toilets in the areas most in need.
MDUK is extremely proud to be supporting this vital programme, and we look forward to providing our continued specialist support to both the Department and to Local Authorities through to its conclusion; and to the increased inclusion this funding will facilitate across England.
Shelley Simmonds is a campaigner and advocate for MDUK as her son, Fraser, 9, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition which causes muscles to weaken over time.”
Shelley said: “I am a delighted to hear the announcement today and I know I speak for many families like mine when I say that Changing Places really do change lives. The freedom of being able to visit different places and have days out that we can thoroughly enjoy, without the worry of toilet uncertainty or having to cut our trips shorts, is a wonderful feeling!
Not being able to access a suitable toilet dictates our everyday life and prevents us from even accessing our most local community. With more Changing Places popping up, families can explore places that were once off limits.”
Eden Council have at this time made no announcement on the funding award or the locations the funding will be used to deliver the Changing Places Toilets in Eden.
With only 8 weeks before Eden Council is closed down and replaced form the 1st of April by Westmorland and Furness Council the work is likely to be delivered by the new council.
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