changing-places-international

Changing Places Toilets debut in the Netherlands

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:25:26 GMT

The first two Changing Places have been installed in the Netherlands

One of the most exciting things at Changing Places International is when we receive news of the installation of the first Changing Places Toilet in a country where none have existed before. Congratulations to the Netherlands for making this exciting step!

It is always interesting to see how Changing Places Toilets get their first foothold in a country as the movement gathers momentum worldwide. This can be informative to campaigners in other countries who may be looking to take those first steps.

In the case of the Netherlands, the debut Changing Places Toilets are both located in popular Visitor Attractions. These facilities have contributed to the mission of Joint Projects , the team behind their planning and installation, to make recreation accessible to all.

Karin Stiksma from Joint Projects "the need for Changing Places Toilets in the Netherlands is great, with some 100,000 people in need of their provision. Joint Projects brings the need for these facilities to the attention of the recreation sector and municipal authorities."

The very first Changing Places Toilet in the Netherlands was opened in March 2024 at Beekse Bergen Safari Park , a popular visitor attraction in the south of the Netherlands.

Beekse Bergen Safari Park

Changing Places Toilet at Beekse Bergen Safari Park, Hilvarenbeek

Joint Projects have shared their experience that although the space, the equipment and the controls must of course be in order technically, the soft side to such projects is also crucial. Specific time was given to run through all relevant aspects of operations with the management and training was given to employees by an expert, explaining how the toilet works and advising them on how to make the use of a Changing Places Toilet a hospitable experience. This is a great example of how to ensure the benefits of a Changing Places Toilet are maximised.

Het Loo Palace, Apeldoorn, NL

The second ever Changing Places Toilet in the Netherlands has been installed at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn , a 17th century palace (now a museum) that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Het Loo Palace also has the accolade of being the first museum in the Netherlands to install a Changing Places Toilet, providing essential support for visitors.

Changing Places Toilet at Het Loo Palace, Apeldoorn

These two Changing Places Toilets have now been added to our international map and we look forward to receiving more news from the Netherlands in the coming months.

Please keep sending us stories, updates and case studies that may benefit others around the globe.

Register your Changing Places on the Global Map

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:57:07 GMT

Register Changing Places on the Global Map

Changing Places International is a not for profit organisation that creates awareness, supports and educates on a global scale the drive towards installation of vital changing and hygiene facilities in the built environment.

Changing Places International administers a global map of approved Changing Places that conform to international and regional standards. This international resource is an addition to national maps with the intention of bringing the benefits of a global perspective.

International travellers and accessible tourism
Campaigners and campaign groups to use case studies outside their geography
Reference sites for approved Changing Places
Knowledge sharing

The map il lustrates the growth and strength on a global scale o f the momentum to include Changing Places in the Built Environment.

Changing Places International are working closely with the national and local organisations to have conforming Changing Places registered on the global map (either as a global standard or regional standard).

To add or omit qualifying Changing Places on the international map please apply here (if you are an organisation with multiple sites please feel free to contact us where we can liaise about multiple uploads).. To ensure standards are upheld the use of the Changing Places ™ logo in most countries can only be used on a facility that is certified and conforms to national and international standards.

Austria's very first Changing Places

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:10:16 GMT

Austria's very first Changing Places in Innsbruck

Fantastic to see Austria's very first Changing Places in Innsbruck. This is at the HQ of Tiroler Versicherung and a real step forward for Austria. This facility opens on the 21st April 2025 and will be soon added to the global Changing Places International map....

Well done Tiroler Versicherung VaG (as well as all others involved) in the delivery of this room.

"Accessibility was a central concern for us throughout the entire new building – not just as a structural standard, but as a lived principle. With the new Changing Place, we are deliberately creating the conditions for social participation for people with severe disabilities. For us, this is a logical step toward inclusion and genuine participation in public life," explains Georg Gridling, Head of Real Estate at TIROLER and construction project manager.

Exciting times for Austria �� !

If you have a similar story in your country do tell us so we can publish your story and add to the Changing Places International Map .

Norway leads the way in Scandinavia thanks to McDonalds

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:06:34 GMT

Norway leads Scandinavia with x4 new Changing Places

Thanks to the close co-operation between Etac AS, Changing Places Norge and McDonalds, Norway has opened two Changing Places in McDonalds restaurants with two more to follow. This means Norway has more Changing Places than the other Scandanivian countries. Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to seeing many more Changing Places start to be installed across Scandinavia.

These Changing Places all with a unique hoist design, height adjustable changing table and accessories are now published on the Changing Places International map.

There is a very powerful video illustrating perfectly why Etac and Norway have put so much into pioneering Changing Places in Norway. Even for those whose Norwegian is limited the video tells its own story.

For more information or to hear more how the Norwegian success started contact us here.

18 more Changing Places grant funded in Australia

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 13:25:26 GMT

Latest News from Changing Places Australia

Australia continues with plenty of Changing Places activity. There are now over 201 Changing Places in Australia which is a fantastic achievement with a recent announcement for 18 more Changing Places to be built in Victoria in the next 18 months.

This recent announcement for even more Changing Places in the state of Victoria, who already have 91 installations in the state should be applauded.

Another interesting step from our Victorian friends is that Victorian Companion Card holders are now eligible to apply for a free Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). This will ensure that Victorians who rely on Changing Places will now be able to ensure access.

There are 326k people in Victoria who rely on Changing Places.

The successful applications for this Changing Places grant are:-

Bancoora Surf Life Saving Club Changing Places
Warragul Leisure Centre Changing Places
Half Moon Bay Changing Places
Canterbury Community Precinct Changing Places
Kew Recreation Centre Changing Places
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre (BAWC) – Changing Places
Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool – Changing Places
Apollo Bay Camping Uplift – Changing Places
Elmore Toilet Redevelopment Changing Places
Rippleside Inclusive Playspace Changing Places
Indigo Shire Changing Places
Apex Park Moe – All Abilities Play Space
Kensington Community Recreation Centre Redevelopment Changing Places
Caroline Springs Leisure Centre Changing Places
Life Changing Places – Mildura
Ascot Vale Leisure Centre Changing Places
Flinders Community Hub Changing Places
Point Leo Main Beach Changing Places

Further details can be seen on the Australian Changing Places web site

UK Funding for Changing Places

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:15:55 GMT

£ 30m funding for UK Changing Places

Applications recently closed for venues to apply for their share of £30m of central government funding specifically for Changing Places in the UK. With legislation recently in place (January 2021) this funding is aimed at allowing existing venues to fund Changing Places Toilets.

This funding will be distributed this financial year (which in the UK runs through to March 2022) and rumours have it that well over half of the 300 local government departments in the UK have applied for their share of the funding.

This puts the UK at the forefront for other countries to "copy and paste" and ensures it is not just new-builds where the UK will see Changing Places toilets installed.

The grant which comes from the UK Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and is being distributed through local government departments will be administered by the charity MDUK (Muscular Dystrophy UK).

Other governments should take note that during these strange political and economic times, the UK government has prioritised Changing Places as an important problem that needs fixing.

New Logo for Changing Places International

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 19:19:59 GMT

New Logo for Changing Places International

Changing Places International New Logo

We are proud to launch our new Changing Places International logo this week. Based on the logo that is recognised in many countries for over 15 years, our simple design embodies the global reach and perspective that Changing Places International is all about. Our aim is to build a global network of Changing Places Toilets and Hygiene rooms. Our new logo reflects this.

Changing Places International is a not-for-profit organisation designed to engage, educate and accelerate the requirement for Changing Places Toilets worldwide, and we are pleased our simple logo reflects our vision. For advice on Changing Places or to discuss the momentum in your country, state or geography please contact us here.