For many disabled people and their families, the availability of a suitable toilet facility determines whether an event is accessible or not. Standard accessible toilets, while an improvement on standard cubicles, do not meet the needs of everyone. Changing Places toilets are a higher specification of accessible toilet designed for people who need more space and equipment than a standard accessible toilet provides. Their availability at event venues has improved, but remains patchy. Here is what you need to know.
What is a Changing Places toilet?
A Changing Places toilet is a fully accessible toilet facility that includes equipment and space beyond what a standard accessible (formerly "disabled") toilet offers. The key features are:
- An adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench -- Large enough and strong enough for an adult to lie on. This is essential for people who cannot stand to be changed and who need to be hoisted from their wheelchair onto a flat surface
- A ceiling track hoist or mobile hoist -- For safely transferring a person between their wheelchair, the changing bench, and the toilet. Without a hoist, carers may have to change someone on the floor, which is undignified, unhygienic, and physically difficult
- Adequate space -- Changing Places toilets are significantly larger than standard accessible toilets, typically at least 12 square metres. This provides room for the person, their wheelchair, their carer(s), and the equipment
- A centrally placed toilet with space either side -- Allowing a carer to assist from either side
- A privacy screen or curtain -- So that if two carers are present, one can wait behind the screen while the other assists with personal care
- A washbasin accessible from the changing bench -- For hygiene during changing
Who needs a Changing Places toilet?
Approximately 250,000 people in the UK cannot use a standard accessible toilet. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, people with severe physical disabilities, people with certain neurological conditions, and older people with complex care needs. Without a Changing Places toilet, these individuals and their families face an impossible choice: risk their dignity by being changed on a toilet floor, restrict their outings to places with adequate facilities, or simply stay at home.
It is not only the person who uses the toilet directly. Carers, family members, and personal assistants are also affected. Changing someone on a toilet floor is physically demanding and can cause injury. Having proper facilities protects everyone's health and dignity.
The legal position
Since 2021, the Building Regulations in England have required Changing Places toilets to be provided in certain new buildings, including entertainment and assembly venues with a capacity of 350 or more, shopping centres, sports and leisure facilities, hospitals, and transport hubs. This is a significant step forward, as previously there was no regulatory requirement, and provision was entirely voluntary.
However, this regulation applies only to new buildings and major refurbishments, not to existing buildings. Many event venues, particularly historic theatres, older sports grounds, and outdoor festival sites, predate this requirement and are not obliged to retrofit a Changing Places toilet. The Equality Act 2010's duty to make reasonable adjustments applies, but installing a Changing Places facility in an existing building is a significant physical alteration that may not always be judged "reasonable."
This means that in practice, Changing Places provision at event venues remains inconsistent, and advance research is essential.
Where to find Changing Places toilets
The Changing Places Consortium maintains a map of all registered Changing Places toilets in the UK. This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource available. You can search by location, and each listing includes the address, opening hours, and whether a RADAR key is required.
At the time of writing, there are over 2,000 registered Changing Places toilets across the UK. Major event venues that have installed Changing Places facilities include several Premier League football grounds, large arenas and concert venues, major museums, and some festival sites. The number is growing, but coverage is still far from universal.
Checking venue provision before you go
Before attending an event, check whether the venue has a Changing Places toilet. Here is how:
- Search the Changing Places map -- The online map at the Changing Places website lets you search by postcode or location
- Check the venue's accessibility page -- Many venues list Changing Places provision on their website, though the information is not always prominent
- Phone the venue -- If the website does not mention Changing Places, call and ask specifically. Ask about the changing bench, hoist, and room size. A venue may say it has an "accessible toilet" when it does not have Changing Places specification equipment
- Check nearby alternatives -- If the venue itself does not have a Changing Places toilet, there may be one within walking distance. Shopping centres, libraries, and transport hubs are common locations. Plan your route to include a stop if needed
At outdoor events and festivals
Outdoor events and festivals present additional challenges. Temporary toilet facilities at festivals rarely include Changing Places specification equipment. Some larger festivals now provide accessible toilets with extra space, but ceiling hoists and adult-sized changing benches are unusual in temporary facilities.
If you are attending a festival and need Changing Places facilities, contact the festival's access team well in advance. Some festivals can arrange bespoke provisions if given enough notice. The charity Attitude is Everything, which works with festivals on accessibility, can also advise on which events have better provision.
For day events at outdoor venues, check whether the venue itself (as opposed to the event) has permanent Changing Places facilities. A park, showground, or stately home may have facilities in its permanent buildings even if the event does not provide them in the temporary event infrastructure.
What to do if no Changing Places toilet is available
If the venue does not have a Changing Places toilet, you have limited options, none of which are ideal:
- Use the nearest Changing Places toilet -- Check the map for the closest registered facility. Plan your visit around its availability and opening hours
- Ask the venue for a private room -- Some venues can offer a private space with a flat surface that can serve as a temporary alternative. This is not equivalent to a Changing Places toilet, but it is better than a standard cubicle
- Contact the organiser -- Explain your needs and ask what they can provide. Even if the venue does not have a Changing Places toilet, the organiser may be able to arrange temporary additional provision for the event
- Advocate for change -- After the event, write to the venue explaining the impact of not having a Changing Places toilet. Venues that receive regular requests are more likely to invest in provision. The Changing Places Consortium provides template letters and guidance for campaigning
Campaigning for better provision
The Changing Places campaign has been remarkably effective since its launch in 2006. From a standing start, the campaign has achieved regulatory change, widespread public awareness, and over 2,000 installations. But the work is not done. Many event venues still lack provision, and outdoor events remain particularly poorly served.
If you attend an event where provision is lacking, feeding that information back to the organiser and the venue is one of the most effective things you can do. Venues respond to demand, and every request builds the case for investment. You can also support the Changing Places campaign directly through their website and social media channels.
Browse events on Tickts and contact venues about their toilet facilities before booking. For more on accessible events, see our guide to requesting reasonable adjustments and our guide to planning a day out with a wheelchair user.
