19/06/2023
World Continence Week 2023
This week (19th – 25th June) is World Continence Week 2023.
World Continence Week (WCW) is a global initiative to raise awareness of bladder and bowel issues, chronic pelvic pain, and other debilitating conditions.
Continence problems are more common than you think. 14 million people in the UK suffer from bladder continence problems, and around 6.5 million have some form of bowel issue.
Many can be affected but suffer in silence, causing embarrassment, anxiety, and distress. WCW 2023 offers an opportunity to challenge stigma and encourage those suffering to come forward and get support.
We shared this guide on our social media and with our partners to promote continence services.
Public Toilets
On World Continence Week, the Campaign for Public Infrastructure (CFPI) is calling for the UK Government to increase the provision of public toilets to allow those with continence issues to live full lives.
- Local Authority spending on public toilets has halved since 2010 (–£64m).
- Business Rates show a quarters of toilets closed in that time, down from 5,100 to 3,900.
- Three quarters (74%) feel there are not enough public toilets in their area.
- One in five (20%) leave home less often as a result.
The CFPI encourages Local Authorities to promote toilet provision but recognises that the UK Government has a key role to play.
To deliver more accessible public space, the CFPI urges the UK Government to embed public toilets into grant bids, provide funding through Public Health measures, and create a model to fund accessibility improvements.
For more information, visit www.cfpi.org.uk/publictoilets