Share of £30m available to improve lives of people with disabilities across Lincolnshire and Newark
The money will be spent on providing safe and dignified toilets
It's hoped a share of £30m will be spent improving the lives of people with disabilities across Lincolnshire and Newark by providing them with safe and dignified toilets.
Councils are being urged to apply for the Government cash to install life-enhancing Changing Places Toilets in public places and tourist attractions.
There are currently around 1,200 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.
Over 250,000 people in the country need these facilities to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted.
"I could see my daughters world was going to shrink unless I did something about it"
Lorna Fillingham from Scunthorpe has spent the last 6 years campaigning for more facilities.
“I have an 11-year-old disabled daughter who is a wheelchair user, and she's nonverbal, which means that she can't actually tell us when she needs to go to the toilet.
"Changing Places Toilets with an adult changing table, hoist and toilet are therefore a lifeline to us to have a family day out.
“Without these types of special facilities disabled children are having to be changed on public toilet floors or in the back of cars.
“In the 21st century nobody should be isolated in their homes because of a lack of an accessible toilet in their community, and nobody should have to be laid on a public toilet floor.”
"Build back better"
Regional Growth Minister Luke Hall MP says, in the effort to build back better from COVID-19, the Government wants to create a stronger, safer and fairer society.
“With central government, local government and the third sector working more closely together than ever before, we will put the right facilities in the right places for those who need them the most, extending freedom, accessibility and dignity to all.”
“Where people shop, go out, or travel should not be determined by their disability"
Ministerial Disability Champion Eddie Hughes MP says the provision of Changing Places Toilets is so important for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
"I hope local councils across England will apply for funding to install Changing Places Toilets so everyone can enjoy the benefits of lockdown easing.”
"Applications for this £30m funding are now open"
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP says he supports the scheme after hearing from parents of disabled children about the difficulties they faced in finding accessible public facilities.
"It's something which the rest of us just take for granted.
"I would encourage all local authorities to get involved, to make a real difference for families with disabled children.”
Muscular Dystrophy UK will be providing specialist expertise to support councils if they are awarded funding:
• Dedicated advice and information and Changing Places officers to support councils
• Changing Places manual and training
• Connecting authorities and collaborative network support
• Signposting to suppliers and installation companies
"We are delighted to be supporting this initiative"
Robert Burley, Muscular Dystrophy UK Director of Campaigns, Care and Support says it'll make a huge difference.
"We urge local councils to apply for this funding, which will be available in October.
“As co-chairs of the Changing Places Consortium, Muscular Dystrophy UK is proud to be able to offer advice and information to local authorities in receipt of funding and to connect them with the fantastic Changing Places toilets community.”