Businesses and organisations are being encouraged to apply for a grant to fund enhanced toilet facilities to meet the needs of people with multiple and profound disabilities.
Grants of up to £20,000 are available, through our Shire Changing Places scheme, for firms looking to promote social inclusion in their local community by installing a Changing Places toilet.
Standard disabled toilets often do not meet the needs of all people with a disability – or their families and carers. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as other serious impairments such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or an acquired brain injury, often need extra facilities to allow them to use the toilets comfortably.
Changing Places toilets are different to standard disabled toilets with extra features and more space to meet these needs such as a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system and adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers.
We want to encourage local businesses and organisations to come forward and apply for a Changing Places grant.
"Installing a Changing Places toilet could not only provide a life-changing facility for members of their own local communities, but it could also have beneficial effects for businesses and organisations, broadening their customer base and offering opportunities to develop services for new audiences.
Person:Councillor Richard Blunt, cabinet member for adult social care
The grants are available to public and private sector organisations responsible for county-based buildings where a Changing Places toilet could be provided and that are publically accessible. Funding is for the provision and installation of approved equipment only.