Accessibility matters: Quick access toilets in our parishes

It’s important to us that as many people can access our services as possible – everyone is welcome.

We also work with local parishes and other groups from across Greater Manchester and Lancashire to improve accessibility and offer a range of services to support people from some of those communities too – from training to advice and practical ways to make your community, organisation and services more accessible.

Here, Minna from our accessibility service, tells us more about a simple way parishes can improve access for people in our local communities and help uphold their dignity too…

Upholding the dignity of each person and an attitude of hospitality, inclusion and belonging underpins all Catholic teaching.  At times, however, many clergy, adult parishioners and visitors quietly navigate challenges that others never have to think about.   

It is said that privilege is only recognised when it’s absent, so do you need to consider toilet possibilities before you attend your parish?  

One of the most overlooked accessibility needs is the simple, human requirement for quick and reliable access to a toilet.  

For many people, this isn’t a matter of convenience. It’s a matter of dignity.  This particular piece focuses on the needs of adults – safeguarding arrangements for children accessing the toilet at a church in their parish remain unchanged.      

According to the Association of Continence Professionals, there are over 14 million people who have bladder control problems and 6.5 million with bowel control problems in the UK.  Of those over 60, urinary incontinence affects 11 per cent men and 20 per cent women.  Given these statistics, we can understand that a significant number of parishioners live with conditions that make urgent toilet access essential. This is further highlighted in the age distribution across parishes, and the increased likelihood of the following with age.  Conditions that may need urgent toilet access include (but are not limited to): 

• Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis 
• Bowel stoma 
• Parkinson’s disease   
• Irritable bowel syndrome 
• Pregnancy 
• Prostate or bladder conditions 
• Disabilities affecting mobility 
• Medication side effects 
• Age-related continence challenges 
• Anxiety-related gastrointestinal issues 

Most of the reasons why a person may need to go out during Mass or even leave early are invisible.  In some parishes however, toilet access requires asking for a key or escort to another part of the building.  As toilet habits are somewhat personal and taboo it’s understandable that people may not want to disclose their need but just  want quick and private access to a toilet.    

Here are some ways that parishes can anticipate and support toilet needs: 

• Normalise discreet movement during Mass: Appreciate that a person making a discreet exit has a need that perhaps you are not aware of.  
• Avoid unnecessary locking of toilets: Security and safeguarding are understandable concerns.  Consider a simple, clearly signposted system of access instead.  This may include installing a RADAR key system.   
• Ensure stewards and those welcoming people are trained: To respond kindly and promptly when someone asks for the toilet, always in line with established safeguarding policy and guidance (e.g. children must be supervised by their parent/carer when going to the toilet)).   
• Display signage that is clear and inclusive: Avoiding language that might make someone feel like a burden. 
• Assume need rather than ask people to justify it: When toilet facilities are locked, or people have to be escorted to them, it may be tempting to try and discourage people based on an interpreted ‘lack of need’.  Many of the conditions explained above are invisible, so if a person wants access to an accessible toilet, or a toilet that is inaccessible unless by escort, don’t assume that they are just being ‘lazy’ or ‘faking need’. 
• Keep accessible toilets genuinely accessible: Don’t use the toilet as a storage facility.  
  Keep it free from clutter, cleaning products or broken fixtures.  Remember a wheelchair should be able to manoeuvre about the room.  

These are relatively small acts which demonstrate awareness and compassion, but they have the potential to transform a person’s experience of the parish and Mass. 

Practical ideas to consider: 

A parish is unlikely to need major renovations to improve accessibility.  Usually, changes only involve tidying, thoughtful organisation and communication: 

• Check the route to the toilet: Is it well-lit, step-free, and easy to navigate for someone using a mobility aid? 
• Review Mass timings and building access: Are toilets open before and after liturgies?  Are these accessible/do the relevant people have means to gain access to them? 
• Provide information online: A simple note on the parish website about toilet availability can reduce anxiety for newcomers.  Include if the toilet is accessible and what that means in practice/any limitations. 
• Consult parishioners with lived experience: They are the best experts on what helps and what hinders.  A note in the newsletter for people to phone/email ideas may be a way to reduce anxiety about sharing personal information.  
• Ensure children’s liturgy and established groups have easy access without needing to interrupt others or search for keys. 

Inclusion isn’t a destination, it’s an attitude.  Accessibility is not a box-ticking exercise of achievement, but an expression of pastoral care that continuously responds to the needs of the parish.  

As our parishes continue to grow in hospitality and welcome, let’s remember that accessibility is not only about ramps and hearing loops.  Sometimes it begins with something as simple – and as sacred – as putting dignity first and opening a toilet door without hesitation. 

Read about ways our accessibility service can support you and your parish now.