Changing Places Awareness Day 2017

Today is the 2nd annual Changing Places awareness day as the campaign for the specialist accessible toilets moves into its 11th successful year.

The day is an opportunity to celebrate all that the campaign has achieved and further help raise awareness of the life changing difference Changing Places toilets make to people’s lives. Changing Places awareness day comes as the landmark 1000th facility is set to be opened.

Changing Places are a fully accessible toilet with a hoist, height adjustable bench and room enough for 2 personal assistants can transform the matchday experience for disabled fans when installed at at sports stadia.

Level Playing Field have always recommended that sports stadia have Changing Places installed, with General Manager Ruth Hopkins saying: “Changing Places toilets should be seen as essential at all sports stadia. These vital facilities can have profound effects on matchgoing fans, as well as making stadia accessible for fans who may not otherwise be able to go. Changing Places change lives, and we urge all sports clubs and venues to do the right thing and make a positive difference for disabled fans who require them”

Changing Places at Football stadia

Arsenal led the way by becoming the first football club to have a Changing Places facility installed at the Emirates Stadium in April 2014. The toilet, opened by Mencap Campaigns Assistant Leroy Binns and TV Presenter Alex Brooker paved the way for other clubs to have Changing Places installed and transform the matchday experience for disabled fans.

Following this, stadia from the Premier League down to Non-League have installed registered Changing Places facilities, with more set to be announced shortly as they were included within the August 2015 Premier League accessibility pledge.

Current registered Changing Places toilets in Football Stadia

Southampton

Manchester City

Manchester United

Chesterfield

Liverpool

Arsenal

Tranmere Rovers

Preston North End

Watford

International Venues

Principality Stadium

Wembley Stadium

In September 2016, Southampton installed a Changing Places facility at the St Mary’s stadium after a campaign by Sarah Brisdion.

Sarah’s 5 year old son Hadley, who has Celebral Palsy, was initially unable to attend Southampton home matches due to there being no adequate toilet and changing facilities to meet his accessibility requirements.

The club then acted to install a Changing Places which transformed Hadley’s life, as well as many other fans wishing to visit St Marys.