The Council is delighted to have received £109,000 grant funding in the first round of the Department for Levelling Up Housing, and Communities Changing Places Fund.

Changing Places toilets are larger than accessible toilets and are for people who cannot use standard accessible facilities. They have equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers. They are vital for people unable to use standard accessible toilets and also for their family and carers. The work to achieve this funding has been in the development stage for some time and the success of which will help deliver on our Strategic Plan to make Central Bedfordshire an accessible place to live and enable fairness of provision and access to local resources. 

In the UK alone, there are over a quarter of a million people who need access to Changing Places Toilets, with around 1,300 of them currently registered in England. Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with profound disabilities who often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needs are met by Changing Places toilets.

Cllr. Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, "I am delighted that we have received this grant funding. People with severe disabilities, their families and carers should be able to go shopping, plan a day out or travel without needing to worry about whether they will have access to suitable toilet facilities.”

“We want Central Bedfordshire to be an accessible place to live and, the provision of these two Changing Places facilities will make a significant difference to people’s lives by supporting disabled people, their carers and families to enjoy everything their local area has to offer with dignity and freedom.”

The funding is available for three years will be used to provide two state-of-the-art specialised facilities sited at two key leisure venues in Central Bedfordshire.

There are several other Changing Places toilets in Central Bedfordshire including at the Flitwick Leisure Centre, Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre, Biggleswade and Tesco Sandy Superstore.

Visit the Changing-places.org to find a full list of over 1,300 registered Changing Places and details of the facilities provided at each location.