Cornwall to get six new 'changing places toilets' for people with disabilities
They will be installed in public places and at tourist attractions
Six new Changing Places toilets are going to be installed across Cornwall thanks to a share of a £23.5m cash pot.
The government money will provide over 500 of these state-of-the-art facilities for severely disabled people across England.
Cornwall Council will join 191 councils to receive the funding, as part of National Disability Strategy which is transforming the quality of life for thousands of people nationwide
The Chancellor confirmed in his Spring Statement over £23.5 million has been allocated to to install the facilities 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.
St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament Steve Double said: “Changing Places toilets can transform the lives of people who need these facilities, enabling them to have more access to experiences the rest of us take for granted and enrich their everyday experiences.”
“I have long been a champion of Changing Places toilets and have campaigned to raise awareness of them and the need to have them in our communities in Mid-Cornwall. I am delighted to see the Government having them as an integral part of its National Disability Strategy and look forward to seeing them built in Cornwall, along with more in the future.”
One of the sites in Cornwall with a new Changing Places Toilet is Lappa Valley, near Newquay.
Curtis Rail, accompanied by his mum Louise, officially opened the new facility.
The new accessible toilet is complete with a hoist and changing table that is essential for many people living with disabilities.
250,000 people in the UK have severe disabilities and need access to a Changing Places toilet. Unfortunately, standard toilets are too small and lack the equipment to be used.
A full-size Changing Places toilet needs to provide 12m2 of space and provide special equipment such as a hoist and changing table. This provides those who need it with a suitably equipped, spacious, and dignified space to access places where previously they would have been unable to visit.
Louise Rail said: "The addition of a changing place toilet at Lappa Valley has made an amazing difference to our days out. Curtis can now access toileting facilities with dignity, and I no longer have anxiety about where or how I will manage his toileting needs.
“It is a wonderful facility, with a ceiling tracked hoist and height-adjustable changing table. It is very spacious so I can manoeuvre his wheelchair easily and access everything I need. Keith and the amazing team at Lappa Valley really do value inclusivity and are constantly striving to do more for visitors like Curtis, making us feel extremely valued and welcome."
Keith Southwell, managing director at Lappa Valley said: “Since we took over at Lappa Valley in 2016 we’ve had a long-term plan to improve things and cement our place as the number one attraction for under 10s in Cornwall. The Engine Shed is central to fulfilling our aims and provided us with the opportunity to include a Changing Places toilet.
“We offer a warm welcome to one and all, regardless of their ability, and this new facility enables us to accommodate even more people who would like to enjoy a memorable visit.”