Changing Places

Changing Places facilities

As part of the Caring Ashford theme in our Corporate Plan, the Council has pledged to lead the way in ensuring the provision of fully accessible toilets for those with disabilities and special needs.

Disabled lavatories with a changing bench, hoist, privacy screen and space for two carers are the only facilities that qualify as fully accessible Changing Places toilets, which meet the needs of people with complex care.

It is estimated there are over 250,000 people in the UK who need personal assistance to use the toilet or change incontinence pads, including people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, spinal injuries and people living with stroke.

Without appropriate facilities, carers are forced to change incontinence pads on public toilet floors or wait until they go home. This is unhygienic, undignified and unacceptable.

Current facilities available

Changing places facilities are currently available at One You shop in Park Mall, Coachworks in Dover Place, the Designer Outlet, Ashford Gateway Plus, Harpers Café at Victoria Park and Virtual Recreation at Elwick Place.

You can find out where there are located by using the map below.

Further facilities on the way

Earlier this year we received confirmation we have been successful in applying for funding to provide more facilities in the borough.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), has allocated £160,000 to support the installation of Changing Places toilets. New facilities have been installed at Harper’s Café in Victoria Park and future ones will be installed at the Julie Rose Stadium and, in due course, at the former Odeon building in the lower high street.

Want to know about Changing Places?

Further information about Changing Places facilities can be found on the Changing Places Consortium website.

Community Toilets and Changing Places facilities map

Visit our Community Toilet Scheme page for more information on those facilities.