Changing Places toilet opens world of possibility

A mother from Loughborough and her two daughters Elin and Lowri were over the moon when they recently spent a girls' day out in Nottingham City Centre.

For mum Bethan and her family it is the first time in years that this has been possible, thanks to Nottingham City Council's decision to install a Changing Places toilet.

Lowri has profound and multiple learning disabilities and wears continence pads which need to be changed in a Changing Places toilet, like the one in Nottingham. The facility provides a height adjustable changing bench where Lowri can be comfortably laid down, a hoist to allow her to be lifted from her wheelchair on to the bed, and plenty of space.

"I was able to take Elin and Lowri shopping for school clothes in the morning, have lunch and then go straight on to the theatre, just like anyone else would have done. It was brilliant."

Mencap is part of the Changing Places consortium which is campaigning for Changing Places toilets to be installed in all big public places in the UK.

"Families with a profoundly disabled member should not be forced to choose between being stuck at home or changing someone on a dirty toilet floor," says Bethan. "Previously we wouldn't have had the confidence to spend a whole day out. Now that we know the Changing Places toilet is in Nottingham and are so confident of what's on offer I know we'll be back regularly."