Forres charity Ray’s Opportunities reveals plans for Leys Road public toilet block
Plans are being drawn up for a modern public toilet, shower and changing room in the centre of town - that is accessible to all.
Having bought the long-closed Leys Road block from Moray Council in March, local charity, Ray’s Opportunities, has employed LDN Architects to design an inclusive ‘Changing Places Toilet’ that the community can be proud of.
Ray’s spokesperson, Pat Ellison, is asking anyone who might need such a facility - including carers - to help them get it right and establish a user group.
She explained: “Standard accessible toilets meet the needs of some disabled people, but not all. Over 230,000 people in the UK need personal assistance to use the toilet, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, spinal injuries, and others living with stroke.
“Imagine having to change your son, daughter or partner on the floor of a public toilet - it's not acceptable, is it?
“A Changing Places toilet provides the right equipment, including a bench and a hoist, as well as the space for carers and to manoeuvre a wheelchair.”
Ray’s decision to buy the block was prompted by the lack of accessible public toilets in Forres. The Leys Road facility was closed in 2018 during Moray Council budget cuts. Accessible facilities in the Falconer Museum have been out of commission since further cuts closed the building in 2019. Forres House Community Centre - closed on Sundays - is currently the only accessible public toilet in the town centre.
The evolving new toilet block design will have a pitched roof and modernised, bright appearance with a durable, low-maintenance painted finish. CCTV will be installed for security.
Within the existing building, there will be four cubicles; one accessible to wheelchair users, and one large enough for a family with a buggy, accommodating a baby change facility.
A new wheelchair-accessible unit will also contain a change facility, a bench and hoist.
The cubicles will be gender neutral; there will be a shower; and Ray’s Opportunities also anticipate, an attendant. The trustees will establish a management board to be responsible for the facility including the CCCT installation and any staffing.
It is hoped that a small retail unit opened on the east side of the building will help make the public toilets sustainable.
“The details of this remain to be finalised,” said Pat. “The Changing Places toilet - an addition to the existing building - will be constructed, equipped, signed and maintained to meet UK standards.”
Moray is lacking in such facilities - Elgin and Inverness Airport are the closest towns with them at the moment.
“Forres is not really accessible to people and families with multiple needs,” said Pat. “This new facility will meet everyone's needs with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”
Planning permission and a building warrant are required; the scheme is also dependent on grant funding.
“The Scottish government is currently seeking to improve Scotland's provision of Changing Places toilets,” finished Pat. “A grant scheme is in place to help that.
“We are doing our best to find these funds. If there are donors out there, we would love to hear from them!”
Ray’s Opportunities would like any potential users to comment about the scheme via email at info@raysopportunities.com or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579608911770