What is a Changing Places Toilet?

The Changing Places campaign is a government-supported vision which provides high specification changing and toileting areas for the disabled community.

The day-to day activities and outings that so many of us take for granted, should be accessible for everyone!

However, the reality is that over a quarter of a million people in the UK are unable to exercise this right due to a distinct lack of accessible toilet facilities.  

Statutory guidance from the government is provided in the Approved Document M to ensure that everyone is able to access public spaces and use their facilitates. In July 2020 the government announced that from January 2021, Changing Places facilities are mandatory in all new public buildings within certain parameters.

Users, their families, and carers would like to see future provision in areas enabling them to ‘have a day out’ and undertake more recreational activities with dignity, confidence, and freedom. The top three locations where these facilities should be made available are country parks & open spaces, tourist attractions, and transport networks – the journey to the destination being a key factor in planning a day out.

In July 2021, applications for £30 Million funding for Changing Places toilets opened. Two further application windows have opened in 2022.
The second, and final, round of government funding for the installation of Changing Places toilets is open for applications from local authorities in England. Local Authorities have until 30th September to submit their expressions of interest and opt-in to receive funding.

Changing places floor plan square

Each Changing Places toilet is required to provide the following:

Space
  • Floor space of 12 square metres, enough for the disabled individual and up to two carers. 
  • Enough room for a turning space of 2m x 1.8m.
  • A non-slip floor covering.  
  • Good lighting
  • Good room temperature control
  • Entrance door with minimum clear opening of 1m
  • Step-free access up to the entrance door
Major Equipment
  • A height adjustable adult-sized changing bench that can lift 200kg (31 Stone) 
  • A tracking hoist system that can lift 200kg (31 Stone) 
  • A privacy screen or curtain.  
  • A large basin with a thermostatic tap, preferably mounted to an adjustable bracket. 
  • A raised height toilet placed at least 1m away from a wall.  
Accessories and Furnishings
  • A tear off paper roll for covering the changing bench. 
  • Folding grab rails either side of the toilet.  
  • Fixed vertical grab rails either side of the toilet and basin. 
  • Horizontal grab rail on the toilet door. 
  • Two large waste bins, one for standard waste and one for clinical waste.
  • A manually operated hand dryer.  
  • A colostomy bag shelf. 
  • At least two coat hooks.

What does a compliant Changing Places facility look like?

Watch our guided walkthrough of the Changing Places project we completed at the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading.

The video shows the compliance requirements of a Changing Places facility. We also share some useful tips and tricks, to assist in making the space more practical and safe.

Care Spaces is completely committed to the Changing Places initiative, and we are proud to say that we have delivered hundreds of these facilities throughout the UK.

In 2019 we were proud to be involved in the completion of what was to be the 1,000th Changing Place in the UK!

How quickly can we produce a Changing Places quotation?

We aim to provide a quotation within four/five working days, subject to design drawings being provided. In the absence of detailed design, the timeframe will change depending on how much time needs to be spent drawing up the project for you. If full design detail is provided, we can produce a Changing Places quotation within 48 working hours. 

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Recently Completed Jobs

See if we have recently installed a Changing Places facility near you

1. The Porchester Centre  

We recently installed a Changing Places facility at The Porchester Centre in Bayswater.

See the case study

2. MidKent College, Medway Campus

We were very proud to install a fully accessible hygiene room for the college students

Find out more

3. Brandon Leisure Centre, Suffolk 

We  assisted the main contractor in the design, guidance and delivery of this Changing Places in Brandon, Suffolk.

Find out more
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