THE Scottish Government has announced a £10 million community toilet facilities fund which they say could benefit more than 25,000 people with complex needs, disabilities, and their families.
Up to 150 specialist accessible toilets will be installed through investment from the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund in a bid to help meet the needs of disabled people who require carer support and equipment to use facilities.
Currently, there are 270 Changing Places Toilets in Scotland, which is a 30% increase since 2019, when new legislation required accessible spaces to be included in large new buildings with public access.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur has hailed the fund he saying it will help make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families.
He said: “Access to toilet facilities is a fundamental human right. Changing Places Toilets offer vital facilities for people with disabilities and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision.
“I am very pleased the fund has now launched. This £10 million investment in Changing Places Toilets will make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers, enabling them to participate fully in society and access community resources.”
The £10 million will be allocated across 2025-26 and 2026-27 with the fund, administered by Inspiring Scotland, now open for applications.
The Scottish Government said that areas that do not currently have adequate provision of Changing Places Toilets will be prioritised.
Jill Clark, a Glasgow-based Changing Places Toilets user, said: “By having lots of Changing Places Toilets, I have more freedom to go places without worrying if I get to the toilet.”
Promoting a more inclusive society CEO Jenny Miller said the specialist toilets are essential facilities to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel and access public spaces across Scotland.
She said: “This investment and opportunity to dramatically increase the number of Changing Places Toilets across Scotland will make an enormous difference to the lives of some of the most excluded people within our society.
“Filling the gaps in the provision of this essential facility will open up the whole of Scotland and ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel, access public spaces and engage in their communities.
“We are proud to be working alongside both the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland on this important project over the coming months, helping to ensure that new Changing Places Toilets are thoughtfully planned, well supported, and sustainably delivered across the country.”
