World Toilet Day highlights need for public toilets as one in five say low availability stops them leaving house

A community group is using World Toilet Day today to highlight the need for more public toilets and awareness of their locations.

The Lewisham Community Toilets scheme said lack of knowledge about available facilities deters as many as one in five from venturing out of their homes, affecting more than two in five among those with medical conditions.

Jane Martin, from Crofton Park, said: “Being in my 60s, it is increasingly important that I am able to access a toilet when out. 

“Having a toilet in Crofton Park Library available to the community is great for everyone, particularly elderly, disabled and families with young children.” 

The Lewisham Community Toilets scheme works alongside more than 60 local businesses, community centres, libraries, leisure centres, and more, to encourage establishments with already existing toilet facilities to fill in a much needed gap in the community by providing free access to all.

Organised by Lewisham Local and commissioned by Lewisham council, this scheme aims to improve infrastructure and provide a higher quality of living. 

Most of the toilets in the scheme have wheelchair access, baby changing facilities and are gender neutral, in order to cater to all users. 

The aim is to not only create more toilets open to the public at no cost, but also to promote and map them out so the information reaches those who need it most.

All members of the scheme will display a window sticker with the logo above, which also signals the types of facilities they have available.

There is also a virtual map online which has all the updated facilities, so you can find the one nearest to you, which can be found at https://www.lewishamlocal.com/community-toilets/

(Picture: Lewisham Local)