People with disabilities and their carers can now benefit from larger, more accessible toilets. Portsmouth City Council has seen six Changing Places facilities built, since 2022, creating a more accessible Portsmouth.
Today we’re celebrating the work the capital projects team completed in collaboration with the council’s museum services, library services and leisure and parks teams to make sure these facilities are up and running.
Changing Places toilets are designed to enable anyone, regardless of their disability, to go to the shops, attend hospital appointments, enjoy community life, socialise, and travel. They are equipped with extra equipment and space to allow them to be used safely.
Recent installs include the D-Day Story carpark, King George V football complex, and the Portsmouth Central Library. To further improve accessibility in our public conveniences we have provided a sanitary bin in male public toilets to benefit those with disabilities, who may need to use incontinence pads, pouches, colostomy bags and any other waste by-products.
Cllr Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member Environmental Services said,
“I’m delighted to see the completion of these facilities across our city. We are dedicated to making sure the right support is available at the right time to empower all of our residents, and those who visit Portsmouth. Having these accessible facilities in different venues across Portsmouth can take out one of the worries for people with disabilities, and their carers.”
Alderman John Attrill, Learning Disability Champion at the council said,
“It’s wonderful to see an increase in these facilities throughout our city, offering greater accessibility and inclusivity for all. We embrace this positive change and hope to see it spread across the nation to improve accessibility in England and beyond.”
You can find your closest Changing Places toilet around the UK using the changing places map – https://www.changing-places.org/find