Could you host a Changing Places toilet?

Toilet facilities that are open and inclusive to disabled people are an important step in making our communities more accessible, and now Government funding is being offered to create more of these facilities.

Community groups, businesses and town and parish councils are being encouraged to bid through their Local Authority for funding to create more Changing Places toilet facilities in North East Lincolnshire, but time is tight.

The Changing Places Fund is a £30-million Government capital investment that aims to create more accessible public facilities in existing publicly accessible buildings in England. North East Lincolnshire Council is managing bids locally, working with interested parties.

Councillor Stan Shreeve, Deputy Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets, said: “The Changing Places fund is a fantastic initiative that helps us to make our communities open to all.

“To be classified as a Changing Places toilet, facilities must meet set specifications and be registered by the Changing Places Consortium.

“We’re urging local groups and businesses to complete an expression of interest. Time is tight, with the deadline for submissions to Government drawing near. Our officers are committed to working with interested parties to complete bids for funding. The EOI can be completed online through our website: www.nelincs.gov.uk/leisure-and-things-to-do/public-toilets.

“Funding is limited, and how many facilities a local area is eligible for is based on the number of disabled people as well as the geographical spread, match funding and the impact of new facilities in each area. In our area we already have two Changing Places toilets situated in Immingham and Cleethorpes, so we’re especially interested in locations in Grimsby.”

Further information about the Changing Places scheme is available at GOV.UK:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/30-million-investment-to-provide-changing-places-toilets

To submit an expression of interest to North East Lincolnshire Council, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/leisure-and-things-to-do/public-toilets/ (this form is for internal assessment and review only and will determine if your interest can be supported to the formal submission to government)

The deadline for submissions to the Council is 5pm on Thursday 26 August 2021.