Mytime Active to open two new Changing Places Toilets

Independent charity, Mytime Active, has begun work on two Changing Places Toilets in the Borough of Bromley. Changing Places are fully accessible toilets, primarily designed for people with physical disabilities, which can also benefit people with learning disabilities who need support with their personal care. The new facilities will be at Mytime Active’s Pavilion Leisure Centre and Biggin Hill Pool and Library and are scheduled to open in March.

 

Changing Places give disabled people and their carers the space and equipment they need to spend time in the local community and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted. In a bid to help bring major, life-enhancing freedoms to more than 250,000 people who need Changing Places Toilets, the government has made their installation compulsory in certain new, publicly accessible buildings.

 

Bromley Council secured funding from a Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities grant – launched to help local authorities substantially increase the number of Changing Places Toilets nationwide.

 

The facilities at The Pavilion Leisure Centre and Biggin Hill Pool and Library will bring the number of registered Changing Places in the Borough to eight. Before the latest build programme there were only two. Bromley Council is working in partnership with Need2Change, a community group of parent carers, dedicated to raising awareness and improving facilities for children and adults with complex disabilities and their families.

 

Jason Stanton, CEO at Mytime Active, says:

“Mytime Active is thrilled to be delivering two new Changing Places Toilet facilities. We’re keen to do all we can to minimise the daily challenges that people living with disabilities and their carers experience. Leisure facilities and physical activity must be accessible, inclusive and safe, and must not discriminate.”

 

“We are proud of our hugely popular MyClub programme for adults with special educational needs and disabilities at The Pavilion. Having a fully accessible Changing Places Toilet on site will hopefully encourage more people to come and enjoy this extremely successful programme.”

 

 

Mytime Active’s MyClub offers weekly structured leisure and social activities to adults and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, with a focus on increasing physical activity and an awareness of a healthy lifestyle. Activities encourage communication, integration, interaction and fun, and include dance, bowling, golf and multi-sports.

 

Katrina O’Leary from Need2Change, adds: “We’re delighted that more Changing Places are being built in Bromley. These facilities are really valued by those who cannot use a standard accessible toilet; they make such a difference to daily life – making outings possible, easier and much less stressful.”

 

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, says: “Changing Places facilities play a valuable role in ensuring those with complex needs and their families can enjoy stress-free days out across our Borough. I am delighted by the announcements that work has begun on two new Changing Places toilets and would like to thank Mytime Active for their support in helping enhance provision in Bromley.”

 

The Changing Places toilets must be at least 12 square metres and include equipment such as hoists, privacy screens, adult-sized changing benches, peninsula toilets and space for carers. Designs for the two new toilets have been approved by the latest Changing Places Consortium, to ensure both sites meet the Changing Places specification and criteria.

 

For more information about MyClub, visit https://www.mytimeactive.co.uk/myclub or email myclub@mytimeactive.co.uk. For more information about Changing Places, visit https://www.changing-places.org/