Funding has been secured to help create more portable accessible toilets, which allow families to attend events they wouldn't otherwise be able to
A campaign which aims to boost the numbers of accessible toilets in Scotland is aiming to expand.
The Changing Places campaign, launched in 2006, aims to raise awareness of the needs of people with complex health needs and the additional needs they required from an accessible toilet such as a hoist, adult changing bench and space for a wheelchair and two carers.
At a parliamentary reception hosted last week, campaign organisers Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS) received a £45,000 grant to help it continue to develop its mobile changing places toilet.
The charity has created a new design for its mobile accessible toilet, which is intended to be robust enough to cope with the often challenging weather in the Highlands and Islands so that the charity can support events in remote and rural areas.
PAMIS says at present, families are severely restricted by a lack of basic toilet facilities and are excluded from their communities and from travelling.
Laura Rutherford is one parent who has benefitted from the introduction of the portable Pamiloo, which has allowed her son Brody (seven) to access a range of events.
“It is really important that there is wider availability of accessible toilets,” she told TFN.
“It is said there are 250,000 people in the UK who need Changing Places toilets, but it is likely much more than that when you take into account family members and carers.
“If my son isn’t able to go to the toilet at an event, then we do not attend as a family.”
The Pamiloo has benefitted families around Scotland, often allowing young people to attend experiences that they would otherwise have missed out on.
“There are so many wonderful examples of inclusion thanks to the Pamiloo,” Laura continued.
“Take, for example, supporting a young lady at her sixth year prom last year, which she otherwise would have not been able to join her friends and celebrate her graduation.
“Or enabling Jamie and his family to attend the British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill Racing Circuit for the first time in years. This meant the world to them, as they had stopped being able to go due to a lack of Changing Places toilets.”
There are currently 187 Changing Places toilets in Scotland and 1254 across the UK.
PAMIS is looking to create more portable and permanent accessible toilets in Scotland and the charity believes that by revising the Scottish building standards system and introducing a requirement for Changing Places toilets in public buildings, thousands of people will be able to take part in everyday activities that so many take for granted. A Scottish Government consultation on Changing Places Toilets in Building Standards is open until 13 May.
PAMIS chief executive Jenny Miller said: “We are delighted that we have been given the opportunity to further explore Changing Places toilet facilities in remote and rural Scotland. This will provide access to your fabulous natural environment for people who are currently excluded.”
