The Changing Places Consortium launched its campaign in 2006 on behalf of the over 1/4 of a million people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.
But there are many more Changing Places stories across the country – including ours in Wembdon. In 2019 Wembdon Parish Council invested in a Changing Places toilet facility at the Village Hall, in addition to a fully accessible trampoline and roundabout in the adjoining playing field. The inspiration behind this investment has been a young mum in our village, Louise Jackson, and her son Finlay, who has some profound challenges in everyday living. As a consequence we are becoming a bit of a hub for other mums in similar circumstances and we are delighted to see this. Our drive to provide the very best facilities for our community have been recognised by others and we were honoured to have the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, officiate at the opening and we were also honoured this year when our playing fields were given the top award as the Best Playing Field in Somerset. Our Village Hall is the centre of a thriving community, busy from 7:45 with the Sunshiners Pre-school until late evening when we close the community lounge and bar.
