Latest news with #InspiringScotland
STV News
07-08-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scottish Government opens £10m fund to create up to 150 new disabled toilets
The Scottish Government has opened a £10 million fund to build up to 150 new disabled toilets. The Changing Place Scotland fund has opened for applications, with the money to last for the next two years. Changing Places Toilets are designed to be bigger than normal facilities to allow for easy wheelchair use as well as have the necessary equipment and layout to help those with disabilities. Mental wellbeing minister Tom Arthur said access to toilets is a 'fundamental human right'. 'Changing Places Toilets offer vital facilities for people with disabilities and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision,' he said. 'I am very pleased the fund has now launched. 'This £10 million investment in Changing Places Toilets will make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers, enabling them to participate fully in society and access community resources.' Jenny Miller, the chief executive of disability organisation Pamis, said the funding would 'dramatically increase' the number of facilities in Scotland and will make an 'enormous difference'. She said: 'Filling the gaps in the provision of this essential facility will open up the whole of Scotland and ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel, access public spaces and engage in their communities. 'We are proud to be working alongside both the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland on this important project over the coming months, helping to ensure that new Changing Places Toilets are thoughtfully planned, well supported, and sustainably delivered across the country.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
07-08-2025
- Health
- The National
£10 million in funding for community toilet facilities announced
Up to 150 specialist accessible toilets will be installed through investment from the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund in a bid to help meet the needs of disabled people who require carer support and equipment to use facilities. Currently, there are 270 Changing Places Toilets in Scotland, which is a 30% increase since 2019, when new legislation required accessible spaces to be included in large new buildings with public access. Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur has hailed the fund he saying it will help make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families. READ MORE: One of Scotland's most popular hill walks reopens after £900,000 investment He said: 'Access to toilet facilities is a fundamental human right. Changing Places Toilets offer vital facilities for people with disabilities and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision. 'I am very pleased the fund has now launched. This £10 million investment in Changing Places Toilets will make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers, enabling them to participate fully in society and access community resources.' The £10 million will be allocated across 2025-26 and 2026-27 with the fund, administered by Inspiring Scotland, now open for applications. The Scottish Government said that areas that do not currently have adequate provision of Changing Places Toilets will be prioritised. Jill Clark, a Glasgow-based Changing Places Toilets user, said: 'By having lots of Changing Places Toilets, I have more freedom to go places without worrying if I get to the toilet.' Promoting a more inclusive society CEO Jenny Miller said the specialist toilets are essential facilities to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel and access public spaces across Scotland. She said: 'This investment and opportunity to dramatically increase the number of Changing Places Toilets across Scotland will make an enormous difference to the lives of some of the most excluded people within our society. 'Filling the gaps in the provision of this essential facility will open up the whole of Scotland and ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel, access public spaces and engage in their communities. 'We are proud to be working alongside both the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland on this important project over the coming months, helping to ensure that new Changing Places Toilets are thoughtfully planned, well supported, and sustainably delivered across the country.'
Daily Record
29-07-2025
- Daily Record
Leading charity claims proceeds of crime helping steer Dumfries and Galloway teenagers towards brighter futures
Aberlour Children's Charity has detailed the success of Alternative Routes, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals. A leading charity claims the proceeds of crime are helping steer teenagers in Dumfries and Galloway towards brighter futures. Aberlour Children's Charity has detailed the success of Alternative Routes, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals. The expert support helps children and young people at risk of offending find a new way forward. Deborah Grant, Aberlour assistant director, said the five-strong team is on track to support 330 young people, mostly boys aged between 10 and 15, in the region over three years. She said: 'The service has changed the lives of many young people and their stories are inspiring. They are finding new confidence in their abilities and new hope for their futures.' Data collected by the charity revealed four-fifths of the 79 children supported last year said they were less likely to take part in anti-social behaviour and 72 per cent said their behaviour had improved. Around 80 per cent said they had a better relationship with teachers and were attending school more regularly. Three in five said they had more self-belief while 65 per cent said they were stronger mentally. Deborah also highlighted the 'ripple effect' seen when the support for one member of a family helps improve the health and lives of parents, grandparents or siblings. She said: 'We have also seen a significant increase in demand for emotional and practical support from parents of the young people we work with. 'Supporting parents in turn strengthens our work with their children and improves their chances of long-term success.' Many of the young people, aged between 10 and 25, have complex social and emotional needs, while some are neurodivergent or are waiting for medical assessments. Many already have experience of the criminal justice system. The charity's team, based at family support hubs at Dumfries, Annan and Stranraer and working with partners Inspiring Scotland, delivers support in group, family and individual sessions, designed to build young people's skills, confidence and ambition. Young people are encouraged to understand their previous behaviour and encouraged to address the underlying causes, such as difficult relationships with their parents or problematic use of alcohol and drugs. Around 26 per cent of children in Dumfries and Galloway are growing up in low-income homes and the Aberlour support is centred on five of the poorest areas: North -West Dumfries, Stranraer and the Rhins, Mid and Upper Nithsdale, Annandale South, and Nith. Jonathan's story: Jonathan, not his real name, was using cannabis regularly and at risk of falling out of education before finding support with Alternative Routes. Through one-to-one support, the Aberlour service helped him reduce his drugs and re-engage with school after missing almost a full year. After changing school and being offered extra tuition to catch-up, he began studying at home for the first time and is now exploring college options. The positive impact of that help and support has extended further with his girlfriend, who had also been out of education due to challenges at school, finding a work placement in a café. She says Jonathan's progress made her want to try again. Asked how working with the charity has helped turn things around, Jonathan, now 17, said, 'You've been good to talk to. You talk sense into me.'
