Raising Awareness for the Changing Places Toilet Campaign

As a parent, one of the moments I’ll never forget is realising that, once my son Brody outgrew baby changing tables, we were left with no safe or dignified place to change him. I was blissfully unaware of the challenges we’d soon face as he continued to grow and experience incontinence. The reality hit hard when I realised that our only options were changing him in the car boot, taking him home in a dirty nappy, or worse - changing him on a toilet floor.

Sadly, this is an experience shared by many families and disabled individuals for decades. I’m ashamed to admit that until it impacted our lives directly, I didn’t even recognise that this was a widespread issue.

The lack of Changing Places toilets forces disabled people and their families into impossible situations. Some are confined to their homes, unable to go out. Others cut trips short, are forced to change in unsuitable places, limit their fluid intake, or, in some cases, choose to have a catheter when, with proper facilities, they wouldn’t need one.

What is a Changing Places Toilet?

Fast forward ten years, after becoming a campaigner, I’m now working for the charity PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) on the Changing Places toilet campaign in Scotland. PAMIS is proud to be a leader in this campaign in Scotland, co-chairing the UK-wide initiative since its founding in 2005.

For those who aren’t familiar, a Changing Places toilet is a larger, fully accessible space that includes a height-adjustable changing bench, a ceiling track hoist, and a centrally positioned toilet. These features ensure that carers can safely assist individuals onto the toilet. For families like mine, these toilets are literally life-changing, and you can easily locate them using the online Changing Places toilet map.

The Campaign in 2025

Thanks to the tireless work of campaigners, changes in building regulations, and the efforts of the Changing Places toilet consortium, there are now over 2,500 Changing Places toilets across the UK.

One of the standout campaigners is my good friend Zack Kerr, who has been responsible for securing 54 new Changing Places toilets at English motorway service stations - talk about making a massive difference!

Reality Check

Despite the progress, we still have a long way to go. The fact is, we need more Changing Places toilets everywhere. Imagine going somewhere knowing there’s no toilet you can use - most people wouldn’t even consider going. Why should disabled people and their families have to face that same dilemma?

How You Can Help

You can make a real difference by raising awareness about the need for Changing Places toilets. Talk to venues, your local MP, and local authorities. Share your story, make use of the Changing Places UK campaigner toolkit, and speak up!

Access to a toilet is a basic human right, and everyone deserves to use a toilet in a safe and dignified way. It’s 2025 - let’s work together to get this right.

Find Out More

To learn more about the Changing Places toilet campaign, visit our website or connect with us on social media through Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. You can find out more about the charity PAMIS here. For specific advice and guidance, feel free to email us at changingplaces@pamis.org.uk.

Let’s make the future accessible for all.