DLUHC Announces Successful Local Authorities in Round 2 of Funding

We're thrilled to share that over 100 new Changing Places toilets will be built across England thanks to the allocation of the remaining funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Following the allocation of the first round of funding last year, the remaining funds have now been allocated across 64 Local Authorities in England. This second round has been focused on increasing the availability of Changing Places toilets in areas where there is currently little or no provision.

The two rounds of funding combined see £30.5m allocated to building over 600 new Changing Places toilets in public places and tourist attractions, meaning toilet accessibility for disabled people will be vastly improved in these areas. 

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

 “As both a minister and a local MP I have called for more accessible toilets after hearing from parents of disabled children about the difficulties they have faced.

 “I’m proud that this government has approved over 500 of these new facilities in shopping centres, supermarkets and sports venues.

 “Today we are going further, with over £7 million to target areas that need support to install more accessible toilets. The money will help ensure that every family is able to have a day out with dignity and confidence”

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  New facilities will now be built in the following venues:
  
  •    Public parks and open spaces 
  •    Tourist attractions including historic properties, seaside resorts and zoos
  •    Cathedrals
  •    Museums, theatres and galleries
  •    Shopping centres
  •   Libraries and public buildings 
  
  We asked Changing Places campaigner, Shelley Simmonds, what today’s announcement would mean for the community:
  
  "I am a delighted to hear the announcement today and I know I speak for many families like mine when I say that Changing Places really do change lives.
  
  “The freedom of being able to visit different places and have days out that we can thoroughly enjoy, without the worry of toilet uncertainty or having to cut our trips shorts, is a wonderful feeling! Not being able to access a suitable toilet dictates our everyday life and prevents us from even accessing our most local community.”
  
  “With more Changing Places popping up, families can explore places that were once off limits."
  
  Changing Places consortium co-chair, MDUK, is providing specialist expertise to support local councils that have been awarded funding. This expertise includes:
  - Dedicated advice and information, and Changing Places Officers to support councils 
  - A Changing Places practical guide
  - Design and installation training prior to installation, operational training following registration
  - Connecting local authorities and facilitating a collaborative network of support  
  - Signposting to suppliers and installation companies 
  
  Robert Burley, Director of Care, Campaigns, and Support at MDUK said:
  
  "We’re delighted that the remaining balance from this fund has been allocated. This is a wonderful outcome and will see increased provision of Changing Places toilets in the areas most in need of them.
  
  “MDUK is extremely proud to be supporting this vital programme, and we look forward to providing our continued specialist support to both the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and to Local Authorities through to its conclusion; and to the increased inclusion this funding will facilitate across England.”

You can find the full list of successful round 2 Local Authorities here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changing-places-fund-allocation-of-funding-following-round-2-assessment