Need The Loo, Coventry
Being able to find a clean, safe and accessible toilet isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic need that allows people to live their lives with confidence. For many older people in Coventry, not knowing where toilets are (or whether they’ll be usable) can mean choosing to stay at home, lonely and isolated.
That’s why Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire is proud to be part of the Need the Loo campaign, a community-led movement working to improve public toilet provision, signage, accessibility and awareness across Coventry.
Please see the support for the campaign in the picture to the right.
About the Need the Loo Campaign
Need the Loo began in Coventry a couple of years ago as a grassroots initiative supported by Connecting for Good Coventry (part of Grapevine). Local residents came together after sharing stories about how difficult it was to find toilets in the city centre - especially for people with mobility issues, hidden disabilities, long-term health conditions, or caring responsibilities.
Early research and surveys revealed that many people were:
- limiting how much they drank before leaving home
- avoiding trips into the city centre
- unable to rely on existing toilets being clean, open or accessible
-
unsure where toilets were located due to poor signage
What are the largest achievements to date?
✔ Updated Wayfinder Signage Across the City
34 city-centre “wayfinder” signs have now been updated with over 240 emblems to clearly show where public toilets are - including details of accessibility features.
✔ Mapping Toilets Across Coventry
Ensuring up-to-date information is available on public platforms so people can plan their journeys confidently. These can be found on Coventry City Councils website and also the Great British Toilet Map.
World Toilet Day, November 19th: Supporting Coventry’s First Public Toilet Meeting
To mark World Toilet Day, Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire joined partners from the Need the Loo campaign group to host Coventry’s first public toilet access meeting. This event brought together community organisations, local authorities, campaigners and residents to highlight the reality of poor toilet provision in the city and the impact it has particularly on older people, individuals with incontinence issues or who are less abled.
As supporters of the Need the Loo campaign, Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire took part in the event to share insights into the challenges faced by older residents who often feel unable to visit the city centre without knowing where clean, accessible toilets are located. Limited provision and inadequate signage can lead older to stay at home, increasing the risk of loneliness and isolation.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far. Thanks to collaborative work by campaign partners, including Grapevine, Colostomy UK, Coventry City Council, British Toilet Association, and others, significant steps have already been taken. Examples include improved signage to help people locate public facilities more easily, increased awareness of the importance of toilet access, and the launch of initiatives such as the Toilet Champion Awards to recognise businesses that offer safe and welcoming facilities.
The strong turnout demonstrated the growing momentum behind this movement and the shared commitment to ensuring Coventry becomes a place where everyone can move confidently around the city. Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire remains dedicated to supporting this work and advocating for improvements that help reduce barriers, promote independence, and ensure older people feel able to stay active and engaged in their community.