12th August 2024 • My Family Our Needs

July 19^th saw holiday home chain, Butlin’s, open its first Changing Places toilet at its Minehead location.

This was in response to guest demand and a desire by the company to ‘invest in inclusivity’. The Changing Places toilet is located next to the new accessible playground, Butlin’s SKYPARK.

Butlin’s has partnered with Access & Inclusion UK so the staff at their locations will be provided with all the training they need to make sure everyone’s visit goes smoothly.

The organisation is installing a second Changing Places toilet in the Bognor Regis resort in late 2024.

The Changing Places campaign’s aim is for everyone, no matter their access needs, disability or reliance on a carer, to use a toilet facility hygienically and with dignity. People with mental or physical disabilities sometimes require more room and specialist equipment to comfortably use the toilet. Changing Places toilets are designed to meet these needs.

Each Changing Places toilet is a centrally placed, peninsular toilet with room on both sides for a wheelchair user. Every toilet room has wall-mounted vertical grab rails and drop-down support rails to offer support while transferring or whilst seated.

The new installation at Butlin’s Minehead is equipped with all the above and an adult-sized height adjustable changing bench, ceiling track joist, height-adjustable sink and an accessible shower. In addition to this, no matter how busy the park only those with a RADAR key can gain access to the new toilet.

Craig Goodwin, Resort Director at Minehead, said, ‘We want all our guests to enjoy their holiday and use our facilities in safety and comfort, which is why we’re pleased to have partnered with Changing Places Toilet.’

Karen Hoe, Muscular Dystrophy UK Changing Places Managers, said, ‘Changing Places toilets are life-changing facilities required by over a quarter of a million people in the UK – not including their family carers. The new Changing Places toilet at Butlin’s means that disabled visitors and their families feel welcome and included, and can enjoy all that Butlin’s has to offer, including the fabulous new Skypark. We are delighted to have worked with Butlin’s, assisting them in the installation of this facility and will continue to work with them to ensure that other sites are incLOOsive.’

These investments into inclusivity are important for disabled families, as they now have a place in the park built with only them in mind. This will help enable all families to take a much-needed break together.