Funding available to help local councils to install life-enhancing Changing Places toilets in public places and tourist attractions in England.
At the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced a £30 million Changing Places Fund to accelerate provision of Changing Places toilets in existing buildings in England. The second funding round has now been opened to expressions of interest.
Round 2 of the programme will seek to target up to £6.5 million in areas where there remains no existing provision and where greatest need is identified.
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, privacy screens, adult-sized changing benches, peninsula toilets and space for carers.
Local authorities are being invited to “opt in” to receive a proportion of this funding, to install these vital facilities in their communities.
The following tiers of local government in England are able to apply for funding:
- District Councils
- Unitary Authorities (single tier)
- London Boroughs
- Metropolitan Boroughs.
A total of £30 million is available through this fund.
Every local authority that opts into this programme will be able to receive funding equivalent to the average cost of installing at least one Changing Places toilet in their area (based on cost average assumption of £40,000). Please note that this is a guide cost only.
Muscular Dystrophy UK have been engaged to provide a full package of support to assist in applying, navigating and delivering Changing Places toilets across England.
Local authorities will have access to advice and information from dedicated Changing Places Support Officers. They will help to guide local authorities through the process for choosing the location, to designing and planning the installation through to registration as a Changing Places toilet.
Expressions of interest must be submitted online by the deadline 30 September 2022.
How To Apply
Expressions of interest must be submitted online by the deadline 30 September 2022.
For more information, visit the UK Government website.