Changing rooms for everyone

Five years after launching the first Baby Changing Room Awards and sponsoring the National Childbirth Trust Baby Change App, Britain’s leading nappy cream brand Sudocrem is once again pioneering the way with a new category to recognise the importance of Changing Places toilets for disabled children.

There are 800,000 disabled children in the UK but only 1058 Changing Places toilets to meet their needs. This means that parents like Laura Rutherford, whose son Brody, 5, suffers from GDD, epilepsy, hypermobility and hypotonia, is forced to change her son on a toilet floor. “Life beyond a baby changing table when your child is doubly incontinent means constant exclusions when you go out as a family. It’s heart breaking for us as parents and this is an issue that will sadly become harder and harder as he grows up. He is different not less. Time for change.”

Since 2012, Sudocrem has campaigned for change with an award scheme to recognise the importance of good nappy changing facilities. Past winners have included Mothercare, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and the National Museums of Scotland.

“From day one, we wanted to show that baby changing rooms are important and often over-looked. We’re proud that our campaign has been recognised and won the OTC Marketing Award 2017. Now we’re ready to tackle the issue of facilities for disabled children by working with the charity PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) to highlight the Changing Places facilities that organisations such as Arsenal Football Club have put in to make a difference to a wider range of people. It’s all about inspiring people by setting a good example.”

There are three categories for this year’s award scheme:

• Baby Changing Room of the Year
• Dad’s Changing Rooms
• Changing Places Toilet (in association with PAMIS)

Jenny Miller CEO of PAMIS explains, “We are thrilled that Sudocrem have recognized the needs of children with complex needs as they grow too large for baby changing facilities. Children and young people who require these facilities are often prevented from taking part in their communities by the simple things that we take for granted. In 2007 we cofounded the  Changing Places Consortium and campaign to develop accessible facilities for the most disabled people in the UK. The Sudocrem award scheme is a great idea and we’re confident it’s going to make a big difference!

If you would like to nominate a changing room for the award, then let us know which facility, why you want to nominate it and preferably include a photo on Facebook via the Sudocrem website www.sudocrem.co.uk/social-hub or by emailing competitions@satellitepr.com.

Entries will be judged by the NCT, PAMIS and Sudocrem. The closing date for entries is March 26th 2018 and the winners will be announced by the March 30th 2018.

The winning facilities will receive an engraved plaque. Everyone who nominates their favourite facilities will also be entered in to a prize draw for the chance to win a short break at a family friendly hotel.

*Terms & Conditions apply

Notes to Editors:

Sudocrem:

• Experts in healing, soothing and protecting families skin since 1931, Sudocrem is a brand with heritage, trusted by generations
• First created in Dublin, Ireland, by Thomas Smith, Sudocrem is the No.1 nappy care brand in 15 countries around the world.
• 10 million Sudocrem products are sold annually.
• Multi award winning, Sudocrem is committed to leading the way in new product development, education and corporate social responsibility. In 2017 alone, Sudocrem supported playground regeneration through Play More, improved changing room facilities for parents and sponsored Britain’s biggest parenting charity the NCT.

NCT

The National Childbirth Trust was established in 1956. It is a UK-based charity offering information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. It has worked with Sudocrem on the Baby Changing Room Awards for 3 years.

PAMIS:

PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) was established in 1992 and supports people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Ten years ago, PAMIS cofounded the Changing Places Consortium and campaign to develop fully accessible toilets in the UK. A Changing Places toilet must be 12 square meters and have an adjustable bench, a tracking hoist, peninsula toilets and a stoma shelf.