By Hope Gordon, Changing Places Project Co-ordinator at Astor Bannerman
Across the UK, we’re seeing more organisations recognise the importance of installing a Changing Places toilet. Shopping centres, transport hubs, visitor attractions and public venues are investing in facilities that make their buildings accessible to people with complex disabilities.
It’s a hugely positive shift.
But there’s one step that still gets missed surprisingly often: registering the facility on the national map run by Changing Places UK.
From my perspective working in the Changing Places sector, that small step can make an enormous difference to the people who rely on these facilities. Because for many families, if a Changing Places toilet isn’t on the map, it effectively doesn’t exist.
Planning a journey starts with the map
For most of us, leaving the house for a day out requires very little planning. But for families supporting someone with complex disabilities, things can be very different.
Many people who need a Changing Places toilet cannot safely use a standard accessible toilet. They require specialist equipment such as a height-adjustable adult changing bench, a ceiling track hoist and sufficient space for carers to assist.
That means trips away from home often begin with one key question:
Where is the nearest Changing Places toilet?
The national map provided by Changing Places UK has become an essential planning tool. Families use it to check destinations, identify facilities along travel routes and confirm that suitable toilets will be available during their visit. Without that certainty, a trip may simply not happen.
A growing network – but visibility matters
The number of Changing Places toilets across the UK has grown significantly over the last decade. Increased awareness, strong campaigning, Government funding and updated legislation and building regulations mean that many new large public buildings must now include one.
That’s a huge step forward for accessibility.
However, installation alone isn’t enough. If a venue installs a Changing Places toilet but doesn’t register it on the national map, families searching online may never know it exists. When planning a journey, they’ll see no facility listed and assume the location isn’t accessible.
The result is that a fully equipped facility may sit unused by the people it was designed for. From an accessibility perspective, that’s a missed opportunity.
Why registration matters for families
People who rely on Changing Places toilets often need to plan journeys carefully.
That might mean:
- mapping accessible stops along a motorway journey
- checking opening hours at a destination
- confirming whether access requires a RADAR key or staff assistance
For families, having this information in advance can mean the difference between being able to travel or staying at home.
Registration helps provide that reassurance. It allows families to explore new places, visit attractions and travel further with confidence. And in many cases, it opens up opportunities that simply weren’t possible before.
Planning a journey using the Changing Places map
For many people who rely on Changing Places toilets, travelling long distances requires careful planning.
Before setting off, families often check the national map provided by Changing Places UK to identify suitable facilities along their route. This allows them to plan rest stops where appropriate equipment and space will be available.
To illustrate how this works in practice, we planned a route between our head office and manufacturing site in Andoversford, Gloucestershire, and the headquarters of PAMIS in Scotland.
The journey is a long one and would typically be split over more than one day. However, using the Changing Places map makes it possible to identify suitable stopping points along the route.
By searching for facilities along the journey, it’s possible to select venues with registered Changing Places toilets and plan regular stops. In the example above, we have identified a location where drivers could stop with intervals of under two hours between facilities.
This type of planning is common for families travelling with someone who requires a Changing Places toilet. Rather than relying on chance, they can check the map in advance to make sure appropriate facilities are available at key points along the journey. Without this information, long-distance travel can be far more difficult to manage.
Registering facilities on the national map ensures that people planning trips like this can find them when they need them most.
Why it matters for venues too
There’s also a compelling reason for venues themselves to ensure their facility is listed. Disabled people and their families represent a significant part of the UK economy, often referred to as the Purple Pound. Accessible facilities can help attract visitors who might otherwise rule out a destination entirely. But visibility is key.
If a Changing Places toilet isn’t listed on the national map, potential visitors planning their trip may never realise it’s there. Registering a facility helps venues:
• demonstrate their commitment to accessibility
• welcome a wider range of visitors
• support inclusive tourism and leisure
• ensure their investment delivers real value
In short, registration ensures that the effort and resources invested in building a Changing Places toilet reach the people it was intended for.
A simple step that completes the process
The good news is that registering a facility is straightforward. Venues can submit details of their Changing Places toilet via the website run by Changing Places UK, including information such as location, opening hours and the equipment available. Once approved, the facility becomes visible on the national map used by families across the UK.
It’s a small step, but it completes the journey from installation to accessibility.
Building a more accessible UK
Every new Changing Places toilet makes it easier for people with complex disabilities to participate in everyday life – whether that’s travelling, visiting attractions or simply enjoying time out with family and friends.
Registering those facilities ensures they can be found and used. From my perspective, it’s one of the simplest ways organisations can help strengthen the UK’s accessibility network.
Because when a Changing Places toilet appears on the map, it represents more than just a facility. It represents freedom, dignity and the opportunity for more people to experience the world beyond their front door.
