New Changing Places toilets have opened at Cumbria’s Rheged and Tebay for people who need enhanced facilities.
Owners The Westmorland Family opened the toilets at Tebay Northbound Services and Rheged, near Penrith, with government funding and support from Westmorland and Furness Council and the former Eden District Council.
Over 250,000 people rely on a Changing Places toilet in the UK to enable them to get out and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted.
Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. Older people and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities need extra space and equipment to ensure that carers and disabled people can travel with dignity.
There are only 1,400 Changing Places toilets in the UK, and the recent introduction of facilities at Tebay Northbound and Rheged completes the ambition to have Changing Places facilities at all its sites.
“Changing Places are more than just a toilet,” said Westmorland Family operations director Andy James. “They offer dignity, safety and the opportunity to get out of the house for an hour or two.
“Knowing you have access to a clean and well-appointed Changing Place helps unlock the potential for life, to get out and enjoy being out, for both carers and those who need them.”
The toilets are equipped with a tracking hoist system, a height-adjustable changing bench, a toilet with enough space to allow two carers and a screen for privacy.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: “I’m very proud that we have helped bring these vital facilities to two of Eden’s most visited and accessible destinations. They’ll give disabled people, their families and friends increased confidence to travel and explore our fantastic landscape and attractions.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Councillor Mary Robinson and the former Eden District Council, whose Invest in Eden Fund gave £10,000 each to Rheged and Tebay Northbound. Members, officers and businesses in the Eden Tourism Network all felt passionately that everyone should have the freedom to plan journeys, holidays and days out – it’s not right that places should be off-limits to some people because of a lack of suitable toilets nearby or en-route.
“The Inspiring Eden team’s vision and hard work laid the foundation for Westmorland and Furness Council’s successful bid to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Changing Places Fund, in association with Muscular Dystrophy UK, which awarded £50,000 to Rheged and £50,000 to Tebay Northbound, with Westmorland funding the remaining investments.”
“These Changing Places toilets – together with the existing one at Tebay Southbound on the M6 – will enable disabled people to enjoy their time in our beautiful area with dignity. They send out the message that everyone is welcome here for a day out or a holiday.”
The newly installed Tebay North Changing Place is directly behind the filling station, and Rheged’s facility is inside the filling station.
Across Westmorland and Furness, further Changing Places toilets can be found at:
- Barrow – Furness General Hospital and Barrow Library, with installations due in 2024 at the town’s Market Hall and Leisure Centre.
- Kendal – Westmorland General Hospital and Outside In play area
- M6 motorway – Killington Services and Burton Services
- Newby Bridge – Fell Foot
- Windermere – Rayrigg Meadow (installed in spring 2023 by the former South Lakeland District Council).
For full details of locations and opening times, visit: www.changing-places.org/find
