Urgent call for action to provide Changing Places facilities for better accessibility at music venues

Closomat is calling for urgent action due to a “shocking” lack of Changing Places toilets available in live music venues, causing disabled music fans to risk their health when attending them.

Changing Places facilities enable people with complex toileting needs, and their carers, to access the toilet. They include an adult-sized changing bench and hoist as well as extra space for wheelchair users.

Colomat has assisted in the design, specification, installation and maintenance of Changing Places for many years. It has supported hundreds of projects up and down the UK in a variety of different settings, from big retail units and zoos to railway stations and conference centres.

Recently, the UK Government announced a £30 million fund to increase the number of Changing Places facilities across England and then a second round of Changing Places funding with a total of £6.5 million.

Claire Haymes, Changing Places Coordinator at Closomat, said: “Whilst building regulations have changed recently to make Changing Places mandatory in new venues, there is still so much to be done to make the UK music scene accessible for all.

“Put simply, hundreds of existing live music venues are unaware that they are discriminating against their disabled customers and potential customers, by not ensuring they provide suitable toilet facilities.”

The Changing Places Consortium called on people to add their voice to the UK’s biggest consultation about its vital accessible toilet facilities by participating in a survey back in 2021.

Faith Martin, a 21-year-old music journalist, disability campaigner, and regular gig-goer from Portsmouth, shared her experiences with Closomat.

She said: “I live in a lively seaside city with a vibrant music scene, but I travel all over the UK to watch the artists I follow.

“Live music for me is about freedom of expression. It’s a chance to be yourself without judgment as well as a great way to socialise and meet new people. As a disabled person, I find it a vital means of connecting to a world that doesn’t always include me.

Hundreds of disabled tourists have spoken out after having trips to British tourist spots ruined by a lack of useable toilets, according to research from Leonard Cheshire and Disability Horizons.

“As you may expect from a 21-year-old, there’s nothing I love more than a pint to accompany all this live music, but that’s where things get tricky. Whilst I’m fully independent and don’t need the assistance of carers, I do need a Changing Places toilet if I stand a chance of staying hydrated in the hot, sweaty venues that I spend so much time in.

“A Changing Places toilet is larger than a standard accessible loo (12m2 or more). Crucially for me it has a ceiling hoist (I can hoist myself from my chair to the toilet), as well as an adult-sized changing bench, height-adjustable sink and often a Closomat wash and dry toilet.

“Without a Changing Places toilet, I have to train my body to function on dangerous levels of dehydration, without causing a water or kidney infection. It’s painful and doesn’t always work. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.

A recent joint venture between toileting specialist Closomat and safe patient handling expert Hillrom (Liko), a new Changing Places website has been launched which aims to educate visitors about the importance of installing the facilities in public places.

“Changing Places facilities ensure people like me are not risking a medical emergency when they go out for a night of entertainment. They mean we can have a drink with friends, which makes the whole live music experience so much less nerve-racking. But there are simply not enough of these facilities and we need to make venues aware of the need so they can do something about it!”

Previously, Closomat highlighted the importance of Changing Places facilities for disabled people, following the Government’s proposals to increase the number of Changing Places toilets in the UK.

Claire Haymes continues: “We hope by sharing stories like Faith’s, we will help educate venues and drive real change in this sector. Everyone deserves to experience live music it if they want to.”

Faith runs a campaign called ‘Commit To Access’ encouraging artists and venues to commit to better access for disabled fans. Discover Faith’s campaign on Instagram @committoaccess