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Would you sit on the loo in public?

 

That is what several brave Changing Places campaigners are doing on 11 May to raise awareness about the vital importance of Changing Places toilets.

 

Changing Places campaigner Sarah Brisdion (@sazbrisdion), who went viral with her ‘Loo advent’ series before Christmas 2017, is the mastermind behind this event. Her idea was to take the campaign to a public place where people who normally don’t have to think about toilet access will be confronted with some of the issues that those who need Changing Places toilets have to deal with on a daily basis.

 

The Looathon will take place on 11 May from 10 am at the Bathstore on Baker Street. Sarah Brisdion and other campaigners who are joining her will take turns sitting on the two loos in the shop window. A mock-up of a dirty toilet floor will show customers some of the realities of having to be changed on a public toilet floor if there are no proper provisions. The stunt has two goals; to raise awareness for the unmet need for Changing Places and to fundraise for a Changing Places fund within Muscular Dystrophy UK, the co-chairs of the Changing Places Consortium. The funds raised will be used for a Changing Places toilet project.

 

Sarah’s motivation behind her campaigning effort is her seven year old son Hadley. Sarah says, “Hadley cannot stand unaided and needs to lie down to have underwear and trousers removed and be lifted onto a toilet. Without facilities, known as Changing Places toilets (with an adult-sized changing bench and hoist) he has no choice but to lie on the loo floor or relieve himself in a nappy and sit in his own bodily waste. It’s heartbreaking for me as his mother and so distressing and dangerous for him!”

 

Sarah’s idea has garnered much support and enthusiasm from other campaigners around the country. Some of the other Changing Places campaigners who will be joining her on the loo are Alison Beevers (@alison_beevers), Vaila Morrison (@inclusivehome), Emma Spagnola (@EmmaSpagnola), Laura Moore (@mumsmission), Laura Rutherford (@laurarutherford), Shelley Simmonds (@Lady_Simmonds), Samantha Renke (@samrenke) and Dan White (@Danwhite1972). Representatives from the Consortium will also be there on the day including the Changing Places Development Officer, Marion. If you’ve been following the campaign, this event will be a great way to meet a few of your fellow campaigners! 

 

What can you do?

• Join us! Come along on the day. The Looathon will run from 10:00am - 4:00pm at the Bathstore, 95-97 Baker St, London W1U 6RN.

• Follow and support the event on Twitter using the hashtag #PantsDown4Equality.

• Change your social media header imager to show support.

• Donate to the Looathon and help make a future Changing Places toilet a reality.

Good luck and thank you to everyone taking part on behalf of all of us at the Changing Places Consortium!