Thousands of lives to be improved with new Changing Places funding for Eden

Thousands of local people will benefit from better facilities and greater accessibility, as Eden District Council has been successful in its bid for a share of £7m government funding to build Changing Places toilets.

Designed for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets, these new state-of-the-art facilities come with additional equipment such as hoists, adult sized changing benches and space for carers. They are targeted at areas where they are most needed such as parks, shopping centres and rural areas with little to no access to facilities.

The provision of these changing places facilities will provide new opportunities for both locals and visitors to access the outdoor environment and places they may not have been able to visit previously.

Jim Walker, Chairman of the Eden Tourism Network, said, "Eden has a long history of providing the ideal location for holidays and visits to enjoy our stunning landscape, towns and villages. This new funding will make it even easier for those who need a little more support to come, confident there are facilities to make this possible.

"There is clear evidence that a visit to a beautiful rural area can make a big difference to our physical and mental health. This funding will make these advantages more easily accessible to a much wider audience."

Eden is a large rural area with four main towns, widely dispersed geographically, and a number of villages and hamlet communities. There are very few changing places facilities in the area to meet the needs of both local people and tourists. The Cumbria Visitor Survey 2018 shows that 19% of the visitors to Eden have a disability, and according to the 2021/22 Census, 20% of the resident population in Eden have a disability.

Eden District Council was amongst 65 local authorities which were successful in Changing Places Fund Round 2, with an allocation of £160,000 to support the installation of Changing Places toilets. A further £30,000 is being provided through the Inspiring Eden initiative, the Council's plan for economic recovery, prosperity and levelling up.

Cllr Mary Robinson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise at Eden District Council, said, "We are delighted that Eden has been successful in its bid. This will help to deliver the Council's priority to provide a healthy, safe and secure environment and as a result achieve prosperity for all, a key priority of Inspiring Eden.

"Changing places offer those with profound disabilities an array of facilities that are not available in a standard accessible toilet. With this funding, as well as helping residents with disabilities access and enjoy local facilities, thousands of people who were previously unable to holiday in and visit the area, attractions, food and retail establishments are able to do so.

"Everyone deserves to have the freedom to enjoy days out and experience the best of Eden and our fantastic landscapes across the Lake District, Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and wider Eden Valley – without the fear of whether or not they're going to be able to access the facilities they need."

To find your nearest Changing Places Toilet you can use the interactive map at: www.changing-places.org/find