'Bins for boys' - £50k lottery funds pay for toilets upgrade

The new toilets have been fitted at Meeting Point House in Southwater following a £50,000 award and bosses at the charity say it has made a “massive difference”.

This funding was awarded through Postcode Community Trust, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, after a Millionaire Street prize win in Telford last year.

The project was a collaboration between the Meeting Point Trust and Shropshire-based Ash Plumbing and Bathrooms who installed the new accessible facilities, which also have sanitary bins in place as part of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund’s Bins For Boys campaign.

Wayne Jenson, CEO of Meeting Point Trust, said: “We have never had purpose-built accessible toilets in the building, we previously just had a larger cubicle in each of the men's and ladies’ toilets.

“It meant it was very difficult for couples to use, for example if someone needed assistance there was no option for them to use a unisex facility.

“But now thanks to this funding we have redone both toilets and converted a storeroom into unisex changing facilities

“We were keen to use a local supplier and I have got to know the team from Ash Plumbing and Bathrooms well through business networking meetings. We are delighted with the job they have done - the new toilet facilities look absolutely brilliant and we are already getting lots of positive feedback from clients and visitors.

“We would like to say a big thank you to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.”

David Ash, owner of Ash Plumbing and Bathrooms, said: “We were honoured to be part of this meaningful project at Meeting Point House, which is at the heart of the local community.

“As a small, family-run business based in Telford, we are passionate about supporting other businesses and giving back to the community around us.

“We understood the importance of ensuring the new facilities were accessible, inclusive, and designed to meet the needs of everyone who uses them. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with Wayne and the team to create something that truly makes a difference.”

The Lingen Davies Cancer Fund’s Bins For Boys campaign was launched to address the lack of sanitary bins in male toilets in Shropshire, Telford and Mid Wales.

For many men living with and beyond cancer their life is irrevocably altered and they need to wear pads, pouches, stomas, catheters, colostomy or ileostomy bags. But the lack of public places where they can manage their sanitary waste means many men are reduced to staying at home which has a hugely detrimental impact on their mental health.

Wayne added: “Meeting Point House is an accessible place for everyone, and we are delighted to be among the first public buildings to embrace the Bins For Boys campaign - we welcome anyone who needs to use our facilities to pop in.”