New fund to improve disabled changing facilities
Written by John Williamson on 31/10/2018
Applications are now being invited for council funding to help improve changing facilities for people with disabilities.
South Lakeland District Council has created a £50,000 fund to help towards the cost of providing high quality facilities in areas where they are most needed.
The council wants to raise standards in line with the work of Changing Places, a national organisation which is campaigning for better facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
Council Leader, Councillor Giles Archibald, said: “We want residents and visitors with additional needs and disabilities to have access to the changing facilities which they deserve.
“We have heard how children with disabilities have to be changed in inappropriate places, such as the floor of a public toilet or in the back of a minibus, which is clearly not acceptable.
“We are now asking local communities, groups and organisations to consider how they can help to tackle the shortage of high quality changing facilities by bidding for funding to plan their projects and to help get them underway.
“Helping to put high quality changing facilities in place is something which I’m sure everyone will want to see and be very keen to support,” added Cllr Archibald.
The funding could be used to support feasibility studies or initial costs for new Changing Places facilities, which may include professional consultation fees. On completion of feasibility studies additional funding may be available for successful applicants.
For any facilities to meet Changing Places criteria, a minimum space of 3m x 4m is required.
To be considered for funding applicants must complete an expression of interest form between 5 November and 7 December by emailing: communitygrants@southlakeland.gov.uk
To find out more information on grant funding and Changing Places please visit the council’s website: www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-council/grants/grant-funding-for-organisations/
