BCC Grant Fund Awarded for UK Toilet Map
BCC Grant to support our UK Toilet Map Project
The British Cleaning Council is delighted to announce that it has awarded a £10,000 grant to the British Toilet Association to support the development of a UK toilet map app for iPhone and Android platforms. The BCC awards funding to projects undertaken by its members every year which contribute towards the advancement of the cleaning industry.
The UK Toilet Map is a response to the constantly changing demographic of public toilet provision. Interactive and constantly updated, the app with allow users to identify all publicly accessible toilets across the country. Initially created in partnership with Mencap and the Changing Places Consortium, the app will also cater to those who require more than a standard accessible toilet – including facilities that cater to those with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers.
Raymond Martin, British Toilet Association Director, said: “Known as Changing Places toilets, there are currently just under 600 specialized units around the country. The toilet map will not just identify the sites, but also hopefully identify where new facilities are needed.”
The UK Toilet Map will show the location and opening times of the toilet plus a profile sheet which will highlight all the facilities contained within that unit. Additionally individuals and/or organisations who need to plan their journeys will be able to use the inbuilt trip-planner to locate and store toilets on a selected route.
He continued: “The British Toilet Association is absolutely delighted to have secured the funding for this important project. The end result will be a tool which gives disabled people and their carers a greater sense of freedom and dignity, enhancing their lives greatly. I am proud of the association and funders for putting British public toilet users first.”
Douglas Cooke, British Cleaning Council Chairman, commented: “The British Cleaning Council are thrilled to have opportunity to contribute to The UK Toilet Map. This is exactly the type of project that the grants system was set up for – ventures that enhance the cleaning industry’s ability to positively affect people’s lives.”
Working closely with many other charities and organisations as well as FM and cleaning companies, the BTA is hoping to maintain and potentially increase the levels and standards of overall provision of all away-from-home toilets, whilst giving us all a modern day solution to this age old problem of “Where can I go, when I need to go?”
Publicly Available Toilets – Problem Reduction Guide launched
The BTA produces a range of information booklets and guides covering the provision and management of toilets and they continue to be a source of useful information to all types of toilet providers.
Publicly Available Toilets – Problem Reduction Guide
Free Downloads
2013 BTA Conference followed by the Members Annual General Meeting
Thursday 14th November 2013 at 10am – 3:15pm
The Stratford Hotel at Stratford upon Avon
Dear Members and Colleagues,
Another year has flown by and we have seen many changes in the toilet landscape. Closures seem to be the dominant feature still although there has been a significant slowing down as councils are trying to find alternative solutions to the problems that are now being faced with visitor numbers dropping and street urination on the increase. The BTA Conference will be a great opportunity for myself and the management committee to get together with everyone to discuss real issues and network with many others who experience similar challenges.
The conference agenda will include a range of topics and presentations to hopefully stimulate thoughts and ideas. This is a good opportunity for open discussion and a potential search for solutions to issues that we all face in providing the public with safe, clean, away‐from‐home toilets. We will attempt to examine the issues of accessibility, equality and social inclusion as well as the problems faced by residents, user groups, tourists and visitors to this country in actually locating clean, well‐managed and clearly sign posted public toilet facilities.
We have arranged a series of presentations to look at new innovative products including eco‐friendly/water‐saving toilets, infection‐control equipment and daily toilet systems management. In a very exciting development, the BTA has recently been in consultation with the DCLG and MENCAP to provide a UK Toilet Map for their growing number of Changing Places toilet locations across the UK. This initial pilot project is expected to roll‐out into a country‐wide mapping system for all “away from home “accessible toilets provided by local authorities and private companies.
This is also the official invitation to all members to attend the 2013 BTA Annual General Meeting which will take place at 2:15pm directly after the Conference Lunch.
Please support your association at this critical time and book your conference places now
only £75.00 plus vat including lunch and refreshments
Some limited exhibition display space is available within the Conference room. Prices start from £150.00
You can download the full invitation brochure and booking form here ….
Once you’ve downloaded the form you can return it by post to the address at the foot of this page; or complete it, scan it and email it back to us at enquiries@britloos.co.uk
You can also reply directly by email at enquiries@britloos.co.uk, or phone 02891 477397 to reserve your seats. Please provide all attendees names and include any special dietary requirements.
Yours faithfullys:
Raymond
Raymond. B. Martin
Director
2013 BTA Conference Agenda
Ragley Suite, The Stratford Hotel
Thursday 14th November 2013
| 09:30 | Registration & Networking Reception |
| 10:00 | Chairman’s Welcome Mike Bone – LOYA |
| 10:05 | Tough Times for Toilets Raymond Martin – BTA Director |
| 10:15 | Toilet Innovation Garry Moore (Propelair) |
| 10:35 | Infection Control Rose Latchman‐Bloom (Miracle‐Wand) |
| 10:55 | Remote Management Roger Berry (Healthmatic) |
| 11:15 | Toilet Break Tea/Coffee |
| 11:35 | Something Different Adam D’Arcy‐Wass (Danfo UK) |
| 11:55 | Truckers Toilets Gillian Kemp – Independent |
| 12:15 | Changing Places Mike Le‐Surf (Mencap) |
| 12:30 | UK Toilet Map (CP) Raymond Martin – BTA Director |
| 12:50 | Question and Answer Discussion Session |
| 13:20 | BTA Innovation Awards BTA Management |
| 13:30 | Lunch the Stratford Restaurant |
| 14:30 | Members AGM Ragley Suite |
| 15:00 | Close Have a safe journey home |
Very kindly supported by the BTA Corporate Champions
You can download the full invitation brochure and booking form here ….
Once you’ve downloaded the form you can return it by post to the address at the foot of this page; or complete it, scan it and email it back to us at enquiries@britloos.co.uk
Chris Evans is toilet champion!
Chris Evans showed genuine interest in the BTA ‘Where can I go?’ Campaign during an interview with mystery guest Mike Bone, Director of BTA, on Chris Evans Breakfast Show this Wednesday. Chris agreed to be a ‘toilet champion’ in supporting the Campaign.
The ‘Where can I go?’ Campaign recognises the need for BTA to change focus from a ‘top down’ approach -directed primarily at Central Government, to a ‘bottom up’ approach’ – directed primarily at local government – (and commercial
providers) the actual source, and authority responsible for provision of publicly accessible toilets.
There has been a realisation that a ‘call to action’ is needed with the support of other associations and organisations that will add more than the sum of the constituent parts to the force of a new campaign. The result is a campaign that will change attitudes to meeting a basic human need – provision of clean, hygienic and safe publicly accessible toilets that are available where and when needed for all types of users.
This is a campaign that considers the needs of all types of toilet users who all need somewhere to go: the old, those with special needs, babies and children, women, visitors to the UK and those with anxieties about using public toilets.
The benefits will include toilet facilities for all, better environments, reduced health
risks and total cost savings versus provider inactivity.
Full details of the Campaign are shown on the BTA website www.btaloos.co.uk This includes a Campaign Toolkit available to support campaigners.
Mike Bone commented: “In the run up to the general election voters will be aware of towns and cities where they have nowhere to go, or the facilities provided are inadequate to meet all users’ needs.
“Public toilets are not an option or a target for discretionary cost cutting but an essential provision to meet basic human needs. Politicians should be aware of the power of the electorate, and the media, when faced with the emotional issue of toilet closures.” BTA welcome support from all those that care about public facilities throughout the UK.
15th January 2010
