{"id":657510,"date":"2025-12-27T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T09:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/657510\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T09:00:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T09:00:24","slug":"investing-in-changing-places-toilets-the-nen-north-edinburgh-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/657510\/","title":{"rendered":"Investing in Changing Places Toilets \u2013 The NEN \u2013 North Edinburgh News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Funding approved for specially equipped toilets<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nen.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/changing-places-toilets0.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/changing-places-toilets0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-201243\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>People with profound disabilities and complex needs will have greater freedom and independence with the development of 59 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Backed by a total Scottish Government investment of \u00a310 million into The Changing Places Scotland Fund between 2025-27, \u00a34.7 million has been allocated this year to help individuals, families and carers across the country to take part in everyday activities and community life. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Further awards being considered from this first applications round will be confirmed early in the New Year and a second applications round of funding open in 2026-27.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nen.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tom-arthur-msp.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tom-arthur-msp.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-145650\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>\u201cFor people with profound disabilities and complex care needs, everyday activities like visiting a cafe, going to the shops, or attending a community event can be a challenge \u2013 especially when suitable toilet facilities are not available.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cThanks to the development of 59 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland, people who use these facilities will now have greater freedom, dignity, and independence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cAwards will ensure that more people can take part in everyday life and enjoy shared community spaces with facilities being developed on the Isle of Lewis, in Clackmannanshire where there are currently no Changing Places Toilets and in a range of other venues, such as community and leisure centres, outdoor spaces and well-known venues like Knockhill Racing Circuit, <strong>Dynamic Earth<\/strong> and the <strong>National Theatre of Scotland.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cWith a total \u00a310 million investment over 2025\u20132027, the Scottish Government is helping to break down barriers and make communities more inclusive and I encourage more communities to apply for future funding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Jill Clark, a user of Changing Places Toilets who also campaigns for more facilities said:<\/strong> <strong>\u201cAs a Changing Places Toilet user, I am delighted about the announcement of this funding for organisations and look forward to seeing many more toilets being installed next year and beyond.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cThis will mean I can visit new places and travel will be so much easier for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nen.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pamis-xmas.png?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pamis-xmas.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-220257\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Jenny Miller, CEO of PAMIS and chair of the UK Changing Places Toilet Consortium said:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>\u201cWe are delighted with the response to the Scottish Government Changing Places Toilet Fund and that so many gaps in provision of this life changing resource in Scotland will be filled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cI am really pleased that the\u00a0fund prioritised areas where provision was currently low, including rural and remote communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cThere are some\u00a0very exciting\u00a0venues that will promote inclusion of some of our most marginalised people within their communities and provide access to activities that most of us take for granted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u201cThis is a tremendous boost towards Scottish inclusion agenda and PAMIS as the Scottish Changing Places Toilet lead will continue to provide support and advice to successful applicants to ensure that all new facilities meet the highest standards of access.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Changing Places Toilets (CPT) offer a vital facility for disabled people and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">This includes people with profound or multiple disabilities, people with muscular dystrophy, older people, veterans, people who require the use of a larger wheelchair and people who require a calm and quiet environment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">CPTs have key features which distinguish them from standard accessible toilets. They:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">offer adequate space (at least 12m2) for a disabled person when they are not in their wheelchair, as well as space for their wheelchair to turn, and one or two carers.<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">have an adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench to allow people to lie down to have their personal care needs met.<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">have a ceiling hoist to lift people out of their wheelchair safely<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">have a centrally placed peninsular toilet which provides access for people who require support on both sides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">There are currently around 270 of these specially equipped facilities in Scotland.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Successful projects include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Almond Valley Heritage Trust, West Lothian \u2013 \u00a3108,612.\u00a0 Almond Valley Heritage Centre is a visitor attraction and social enterprise, welcoming over 157,000 visitors annually. Regularly used by community groups, schools, and charities supporting people with complex needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Knockhill Racing Circuit Ltd, Fife \u2013 \u00a345,000.\u00a0 A Changing Places Toilet at Knockhill Racing Circuit, enabling individuals and families to enjoy the facilities and entertainment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Eden Court Highlands \u2013 \u00a355,200.\u00a0 Eden Court is a multi-arts venue with two theatres, two cinemas, two dance &amp; drama studios and gallery space. They offer a diverse programme of live performance, film and creative activities for all ages, abilities and interests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, City of Edinburgh \u2013 \u00a310,000.<\/strong>\u00a0 Located at the Fringe Central which will be the year-round office and artist support hub for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. It will provide rehearsal, meeting, and training spaces, artist resources, and public facilities, supporting accessibility, creativity, and community engagement at the heart of the world\u2019s largest arts festival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Point and Sandwick Coastal Community Path, Isle of Lewis \u2013 \u00a395,344.\u00a0 A purpose-built bespoke amenity beside Bayble Beach and near Bayble harbour which is a community owned mooring used by small inshore fishery vessels and recreational sea fishing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Further\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.inspiringscotland.org.uk\/fund\/changing-places-toilets-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">information<\/a>\u00a0on the fund and Inspiring Scotland, who administer the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Full\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inspiringscotland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/CPT-Fund-first-tranche-list-of-projects-word.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">list<\/a>\u00a0of successful applicants.<\/p>\n<p>Like this:<\/p>\n<p>Like Loading&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"sd-link-color\"\/>\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Funding approved for specially equipped toilets People with profound disabilities and complex needs will have greater freedom and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":657511,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8816],"tags":[748,1102,4884,712,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-657510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edinburgh","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-edinburgh","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-scotland","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115790717892834709","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/657510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=657510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/657510\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/657511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=657510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=657510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=657510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}