World Toilet Day On 19 November, celebrates something most of us use every day without a second thought.
A UK study by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found that 1 in 5 people (20%) don’t go out as often as they would like because of concerns about toilet access, a phenomenon they describe as the “loo leash”. That equates to approximately 13.5million people whose activities are affected by concerns about being able to find a toilet when they need one. The issue is even more pronounced for people with conditions requiring frequent toilet use, where 2 in 5 (40%) reported being affected.
Why access matters
Knowing you’ll be able to find a toilet when you need one gives people the confidence to get on with their day. A trip into town, a day at the coast, a school day or a long shift all feel easier with good facilities close by.
Public toilets play a big part in that. So do community toilet schemes, where local businesses welcome non-customers to use their facilities. For many people, including older people, disabled people, parents with young children, people who work on the move and anyone managing a health condition or their period, a nearby toilet makes all the difference.
Good access to toilets shows up in all sorts of places:
- Independence and confidence. For many people, knowing where the nearest toilet is shapes how far they travel and how long they stay out. Good facilities let them plan a day around what they want to do, not around where they can stop.
- Health and comfort. When people know a toilet is close by, they’re more likely to drink enough and feel at ease throughout the day.
- Learning. In schools and colleges, washrooms that pupils feel comfortable using help them settle, focus and get the most out of the day.
- Work. Clean, private, well-kept facilities show staff they’re valued. For people who work outdoors or on the road, reliable toilets along the way make a long shift far more manageable.
- Travelling. Whether it’s a commute, a long drive or a trip somewhere new, people need to know they’ll find clean, accessible facilities along the way. Stations, airports, service areas and bus interchanges help journeys run smoothly, especially for anyone travelling with children or with additional needs.
- Thriving town centres. Welcoming public toilets make it easier for people to spend time in their local high street, meet friends and support local businesses.
- Working on the move. For bus drivers, taxi drivers, delivery drivers and others whose workplace is the road, the question is simple: where can I go? Facilities at depots, bus stations, taxi ranks, service areas and local businesses that welcome them make a long shift far more comfortable and help keep the services we all rely on running.
In short, a toilet is rarely the reason someone goes out. But it’s often what makes going out possible.
What a good washroom feels like
When a washroom is well designed, you hardly notice it. You simply feel comfortable, safe and respected. That usually comes down to getting a few basics right:
- Open and available. Facilities that are ready to use when people need them.
- Privacy. Cubicles that feel properly enclosed, with sightlines considered from the start.
- Security. Locks and fixings that work on day one and keep working for years.
- Provision for periods. Sanitary disposal wherever it’s needed.
- Space for everyone. Layouts that work for people with different needs.
- Robustness. Materials that stand up to heavy daily use and still look good.
- Easy upkeep. Spaces that are simple to clean and maintain, so they stay welcoming.
Mark World Toilet Day with us
- Thank the people who keep them running. Cleaners, caretakers and facilities teams do a huge amount to keep washrooms open and welcoming.
- Walk your washrooms with fresh eyes. See them as a first-time visitor would.
- Ask the people who use them. Find out what works well and what would make their day easier.
- Help people find you. Signpost your toilets clearly. If you run town centre premises, a local community toilet scheme may be worth joining.
- Plan ahead. If your washrooms are due for refurbishment, talk to us about making comfort and privacy part of the brief from the start.
Good toilets are easy to take for granted, and that’s exactly how it should be. This World Toilet Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate them.
