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Through the Changing Places project, Essex Cares is building and fitting over 10 Changing Places across the county.

Changing Places are accessible toilets which also hold additional equipment such as hoists and adult-sized changing benches, as well as enough room for a disabled person and a carer.

Thousands of people need the Changing Places toilets that would help them to enjoy the day to day activities many of us take for granted. The Changing Places Consortium has launched its campaign on behalf of those people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers, as well as many other disabled people.

Currently we have 10 sites identified for the new Changing Places:

• Market Road, Chelmsford
• Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
• Castle Park, Colchester
• Leisure World, Colchester
• Lord Butler Leisure Centre, Saffron Walden
• Great Dunmow Leisure Centre, Great Dunmow
• Promenade Park, Maldon
• The Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
• Brentwood Town Centre
• Harlow Bus Station

We are also looking at sites in Basildon, Canvey Island and Epping.

Without these facilities, families have to change the person they care for on a cramped and dirty toilet floor. The alternative is to limit outings to a few short hours - or to not go out at all.

The first Essex Cares Changing Place will open in Maldon in early 2011.

Visit the Changing Places website to find out more about the program which is being rolled out across the whole country.