Changing Places are delighted to announce that we have received £60k in government grant funding to install a Changing Places Toilet for the Forest of Marston View Trust’s Forest Centre. Taking an inclusive approach, the council worked in partnership with SNAP Parent Carer Forum which identified the Forest of Marston Vale Trust’s Forest Centre site as a place that would greatly benefit from the improved accessibility a Changing Places Toilet would deliver.  

Changing Places Toilets support people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as those with other physical disabilities who require extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilet safely and comfortably. The provision of these toilets enables people with disabilities to enjoy a day out, go shopping, have a meal, and do a myriad of other activities that most people take for granted. Central Bedfordshire has a growing number of Changing Place Toilets and is interest in improving accessibility. 

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr. Mark Smith said: “This is fantastic news. I’d like to personally thank the people at SNAP who worked with us to identify the best location for this new toilet.” 

“It is so important that everyone can enjoy a day out without needing to worry about whether they will have access to suitable toilet facilities. This new facility will ensure that no-one in Central Bedfordshire is excluded from participating in the activities available to the rest of society.”

Tracy Jones, Parent of special needs person and SNAP representative said, “As a parent representative for SNAP Parent Carer Forum who worked with Central Bedfordshire Council and Marston Forest Vale on this project and, as a parent of a person with special needs, I am beyond thrilled to hear that a changing spaces toilet will be installed for the special needs community.” 

“These spaces give choice, dignity and stop people being changed on dirty toilet floors. They support people locally and nationally who have tough, limited access to the community and who can’t always get out and around easily. These toilets take a huge barrier away and allow them to travel further distances away from home.” 

Kath Pearce, Grandmother to Sam, said, “‘A Changing Place toilet at Marston Vale Forest Centre will make a huge difference not only to my grandson, Sam but also to me, because I help with his care. Most grandparents who take their families to enjoy the Forest Centre do not have to plan their visit around toilet needs but I do. “ 

“We have taken Sam to the Forest Centre since he was three years old. Even then he was too big for the small baby changing bed in the disabled toilet, so he was changed either on the floor or the back of our car. Our car was the better option! Sam is now 15, too big for the car and too big for elderly grandparents to change him on the floor.”  

Grant Sorrel, Commercial Director for FoMV said, Grant Sorrell grant.sorrell@marstonvale.org “A Changing Places Toilet has been on our wish list for a long time, so we’re delighted to be awarded funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to facilitate the development and give more people the opportunity to enjoy the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park.”

“Local families told us that this location was a top priority for them, so we’re pleased to have played an active role in securing the funds enabling us to work with The Forest of Marston Vale Trust to develop the Changing Place that will open up this fabulous nature-based venue to adults/children with disabilities and families, another step improving inclusion and accessibility across Central Bedfordshire.”

Subject to planning consent, The Trust will install a modular Changing Place Toilet adjacent to the existing toilet block. It is anticipated that the new facility will be open to the public in the first quarter of 2024.