Changing Places flush mob

Thursday 11 October 2012

Toilet brush flash mob raises awareness of the lack of Changing Places toilets in London

This afternoon (11 October), more than 200 people took part in a flash mob with a difference. The Changing Places ‘flush mob’ raised awareness of the Changing Places toilet campaign and the need for more fully accessible disabled toilets in London.

The campaigners gathered in Trafalgar Square, before suddenly raising toilet brushes in the air – many of them especially decorated. They then froze for three minutes as passers by looked on.

Watch a video of the flush mob.

The Changing Places campaign, sponsored by Total Hygiene, calls for more Changing Places toilets in public places, so that people with profound and multiple learning disabilities can access the same opportunities as everyone else.

A Changing Places toilet is larger than a standard disabled toilet and includes a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist and room for up to two carers. The Changing Places toilets also benefit people with other mobility issues, such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy or acquired brain injuries.

Changing Places in London

• There are currently just 29 fully accessible Changing Places toilets in the whole of Greater London.
• Just one of London’s top 10 tourist attractions has a Changing Places toilet.
• There is no fully accessible toilet facility at shopping hubs Oxford Circus or Westfield.
• There are no Changing Places toilets at any of the busiest five rail stations in London.

As a result, many disabled people and their carers are forced to change their loved ones on toilet floors or to have to stay at home.

Leroy Binns, who has a learning disability and works at Mencap, was one of the flush mob campaigners. He said: “So many disabled people and their families were able to enjoy the sporting events at the Olympic Park during London 2012, because there were fully accessible toilets and facilities.

“But across the whole of Greater London, there are only 29 Changing Places toilets. No one should have to be cared for while lying on a filthy, cramped toilet floor, or be forced to stay at home, because there isn’t a suitable toilet for them to use. We want disabled people to be able to enjoy the sights and events that London has to offer just like everyone else.”

See more pictures from the flush mob

Watch a video of the flush mob.

Find out more about the Changing Places campaign and visit the Changing Places website