A Changing Place

Why are Changing Places toilets important?

“Over a 1/4 million people need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted," from the Changing Place website.

Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, cannot use standard accessible toilets.

People may be limited in their own mobility so need equipment to help them or may need support from one or two carers to either get on the toilet or to have their continence pad changed.

Standard accessible toilets (or "disabled toilets") do not provide changing benches or hoists and most are too small to accommodate more than one person. Without Changing Places toilets, the person with disabilities is put at risk, and families are forced to risk their own health and safety by changing their loved one on a toilet floor," from the Changing Place website.

Changing Place at Ilam Park

Over the past few years we have been making improvements at Ilam Park, so that more people can better access the site and enjoy their visit. This includes opening a Changing Place in a former store room, located within Ilam Hall. We are very pleased to announce that despite the delays caused from the knock on effects of covid19, our new Changing Place will be open from Tuesday 20th October. Inside the spacious room, users will find a changing platform, hoist, toilet, bins and a handwash basin.  One wall has been decorated with a photographic image taken by one of our National Trust volunteer photographers, to help inspire visitors when using this facility. It will be open to all and is located near the car park and other visitor facilities. Visitors will find the room located next door to the YHA accessible bedrooms. This facility will enable a significant number of visitors that would not normally be able to consider Ilam as a place to visit. 

The Design has been developed by our Building Surveyor drawing on information from ChangingPlaces.org.uk, and through consultation with specialist contractors. In order to open the Changing Place safely, our team at Ilam Park and some of our colleagues over at Ilam Hall Youth Hostel, have undergone training to open and operate this facility. Whilst many of our teams are still operating with minimal staff, our current opening times for the Changing Place is Monday - Sunday 10-4pm.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media @PeakDistrictNT for updates of our future opening times. For more information and an interactive map showing other locations of Changing Places please click here.