CHANGING PLACES AWARENESS DAY 2023

 The Changing Places campaign was officially launched in July 2006. In celebration, the Consortium decided to make July 19th an annual awareness day for the campaign.  It is also an opportunity to help raise more vital awareness of the life changing difference Changing Places toilets make to people’s lives - not just in the UK but around the world!  This changing places awareness day I want to share with the world the success of my changing places toilet campaign.

Let start at the beginning.  It must have been about 9 years ago when I really realized I was very limited where I could go especially with my support workers because of I can’t be lifted when I go to the toilet so I need to be hoisted.

 

At this time there was just two changing places toilets in Glasgow.  And it was really shocking to have so I really wanted to do something about it because I felt why I should be limited just because of my Disability and needs.

 

In summer of2014, I joined a group called TAG The Advisory Group. 

TAG supports people to respond to issues and concerns raised by individuals both locally and nationally. But perhaps the most important work they do in making Scotland a more inclusive place for everyone to live.

 

At the meeting I brought up my issue with getting a access to a suitable toilet  which meets my needs. So, the manager of TAG said you should start campaigning! So, I did!

 

First, I made a video showcase what a changing places is, explaining how few was there at that time and the need for more in Glasgow.  The video was a big success and I am sure that it helped to open more changing places.

 

I wrote to many of places to see if they were willing to install a changing places toilet. One of them was my local shopping centre Clydebank.  And 5 years they are finally installing a changing place toilet wowww!

 

I have been lucky enough to be involved with the opening of few changing places toilets.  One of these was the River Side Museum and I was very involved   when the Burrell collection was getting done up where has not just one but two changing places toilets.  Also, I was   involved with the new Queen street station getting a changing place. 

 

In January I went through to Edinburgh to open the changing places in Waverley station and also, I opened up the changing places at Edinburgh castle.

 

 

My campaign isn’t just for to get more changing places, well it is but I feel making everyone aware of these toilets and teach people about the importance for having changing places so in the past few years I have been trying my best to make people aware of my campaign. So, I have been on the programme called Inside Central Station and the StV news. Also, I had a few articles on my campaign on social media and in the newspaper.  Like I said making awareness of changing places is really important because sadly a lot of people don’t know about changing places and how   impacts on people’s life.

Without being big headed I think my campaign has been a big success with 24 changing places in Glasgow today!

 

Sometimes I feel a bit of daft and annoying to keep going on about toilets but at end of the day I am trying to get everywhere inclusive for disabled people. 

 

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me with my campaign especially The Advisory Group!

 

Happy changing places awareness day everyone!

 

Written by Jill