Dorset Council has secured funding of £454,250 from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to provide seven more changing places toilets across the Dorset Council area.
The successful bids, led by the council’s Property and Assets team, will bring new changing places to several locations across the county. Changing places are accessible facilities for those who need extra equipment and space to use toilets safely and comfortably.
The funding is part of a £30m national government programme to increase the number of changing places toilets (CPTs) nationally. There are currently 1790 registered CPTs across the country, six of which are in the Dorset Council area.
The first successful bidding process in round one, announced last March, saw funding of £244,250 allocated to Dorset Council to provide changing places facilities at:
- North Beach Car Park, Swanage in partnership with Swanage Town Council
- Knoll Beach Car Park, Studland in partnership with National Trust
- West Bay All Inclusive Play Area in partnership with Bridport Town Council
- West Bay Holiday Park in partnership with Park Dean resorts.
Installation of these facilities will begin over the next couple of months.
The latest funding announcement of a further £210,000 will enable the council to work with partners to install three more changing places toilets at:
- Bridport Bus Station and visiting coach park, in partnership with Bridport Town Council
- Castle View at Corfe Castle, in partnership with the National Trust
- Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park at Organford
The schedule for these installations is yet to be agreed between the council, the partners and DLUHC.
Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Assets and Property, said:
“Following on from our successful bids to Government for decarbonisation of our buildings, to the Shared Prosperity Fund which replaces EU regional funding and our Levelling Up bid for Weymouth we have now successfully bid into this new Government initiative.
“I am so pleased we have been successful, making Dorset a more welcoming and safer place for our visitors and residents. Easy and pleasant access to appropriate toilet facilities can make a big difference to the enjoyment of a day out. We are really pleased that Government is investing in these important changing places.”
A changing places facility must include things like height adjustable adult changing benches, a ceiling track hoist, a peninsular toilet with space for two assistants, privacy screen along with practical things such as wide paper rolls, a large waste disposal bin, a back rest on the toilet seat and (preferably) a height adjustable wash basin.
Dorset Parent Carer Council, which is run by parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs or disability (SEND) said:
“We were delighted to learn that Dorset Council’s bid to add more changing places toilets across Dorset has been so successful. We are extremely grateful to parents and carers who took part in the survey that shaped the bid application.”
- “These facilities will ensure dignity for our children and young people who are disabled.” Kirsty
- “Having access to changing places toilets makes going out less stressful and makes the day more enjoyable for all.” Mary
Locations of current changing places locations across the UK can be found here: Changing Places Toilets (changing-places.org)
Shaun Caesar, General Manager at West Bay Holiday Park, said:
“As we head into the busy holiday season, the news of Dorset Council’s positive bid to add more changing facilities across the region is absolutely fantastic. We want West Bay to be a welcoming destination for all to enjoy, and these facilities, including the one being installed at our park, will really help local people and tourists be able to enjoy a trip to the beach with more ease.
“We’re delighted to be supporting the Dorset Council with this initiative going forward and hope these continue to create a positive impact on the local community.”
Good news BUT what a shame there are none at all in the north of the county. Via the Disability Equality Forum which was running at the time and Help and Kindness I put in a proposal for Gillingham to have one which was apparently well received at the time. We have tourists in the north too (Stourhead is nearby)! We also have walks, shops, a SEND school, the library, sports and leisure centre and more. There is an ideal position for one in the middle of Gillingham. Very disappointed.
Hi Amanda, I am trying and find out how the locations for these new facilities were decided upon and whether there will be a further round of funding that councils and organisations can apply to. Thanks, Kirstie.
Thank you so much for getting the funding for these much needed facilties.
We need the same facilities in Blandford as the existing facility is boarded up with no sign of reopening.
How will the new facilities be securely accessed?
Many thanks.
Great news! Shame toilets can’t be provided for everybody – lots of public toilets have closed & been removed/knocked down. Lots of people have ailments which need loo facilities!
Where/how do I purchase a key, please? Have IBS?
Hello Sue, Changing Places facilities are slightly different to your average accessible loo in that they have hoists and adult size changing benches. I think for your needs you might need a RADAR key which would unlock accessible toilet facilities. You would need to buy a key, they cost about £6. The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers independent access to locked public toilets around the country. You can find out more here https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/radar-keys I hope this helps, Kirstie
Well done to all involved in building a better future for people with bladder & bowel incontinence.
Please continue to expand to the east of the county to places like Wimborne & Ferndown. The designs for toilets should be upgraded to include Changing Places specifications in all locations.
I have a relative with Crohn’s Disease. The stress and tension caused lack of clean-up facilities in public places is awful.
Thanks for your comment Cllr Holmes, I am trying and find out how the locations for these new facilities were decided upon and whether there will be a further round of funding that councils and organisations can apply to. I will reply as soon as I’ve found out. Thanks, Kirstie.
Well done councillor yes crohns patients in family. How to change a stoma bag in a filthy toilet……
I second what you say because we had raised it as they’re putting in changes in the sports pavilion at Corfe Mullen, I said well why not changing places the same as you because there’s nothing in the areas which are local to us.
If admin could let me know where are surveys are generated so we can take part in the future.( Particularly on stomas and that can be Crohn’s disease that can be cancer but also cystic fibrosis needs.)
We need to be in the surveys.
Many of us have also raised could we get the disability forum up and running again.