White Rose Shopping Centre has installed new sanitary facilities in its men’s toilets throughout the centre as part of Prostate Cancer UK’s ‘Boys Need Bins’ campaign.
The centre was alerted to the campaign by regular visitor Susan Childs, whose family has sadly been impacted by prostate cancer.
According to Prostate Cancer UK, a survey of men living with incontinence found that 95% feel anxiety around the lack of sanitary bins in men’s toilets, leading to many reducing the time they spend out of the house, and nearly one third have been forced to carry used pads in a bag due to lack of facilities to dispose of them hygienically.
In addition to feeling anxiety and distress, not having access to sanitary facilities can impact physical health too, with 64% of people surveyed sharing that they have suffered with rashes and infections as a result of not being able to change their incontinence products.
One in three men over the age of 65 in the UK experience urinary incontinence – a significant amount of the population.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “A day out shopping and dining should be an enjoyable affair, and Prostate Cancer UK’s shocking figures show that barriers such as a lack of sanitary bins in men’s toilets can hugely impact someone’s experience.
“It’s important that all visitors feel welcome and comfortable at White Rose, and we’re pleased to have installed the new sanitary facilities and signage to support this and to help raise awareness of the Boys Need Bins campaign.
“We’re thankful to Susan for bringing this need to our attention, and to Lubna and Prostate Cancer UK for helping us ensure the new facilities are fit for purpose.”
Susan Childs, who brought the campaign to the centre’s attention, also said: “Having hosted prostate cancer awareness stands for more than ten years, and listened to the problems that some men face, I was determined to support the Boys Need Bins campaign. It’s vitally important that men affected can enjoy their time and be relaxed, without worrying about the toilet situation.
“I am overwhelmed at how supportive the White Rose team have been during the whole process. It was just one initial conversation that got things started, and I find it incredible that such a large organisation listens to their customers and acts on their suggestions so quickly. Thank you!”
Lubna Latif Curtis, Senior Health Influencing Officer at Prostate Cancer UK, added: “A man living with incontinence deserves the freedom to go shopping without worrying about whether he can get rid of his used pads hygienically and discreetly.
“Despite the fact that one in three men over 65 experience urinary incontinence, there’s a dire lack of sanitary bins in gents’ toilets and a taboo surrounding the issue. We’ve found that almost all these men feel anxiety about leaving the house, with many telling us they’ve had to carry their soiled pads around in a bag.
“We’re delighted that White Rose Shopping Centre is backing our Boys Need Bins campaign and introducing sanitary bins in their men’s loos. While we’re pushing to get the law changed, so that every man has access to a proper bin, in the meantime it’s exciting that real progress is happening here in Leeds and across the UK.”
White Rose has also recently introduced its stoma-friendly facilities throughout the centre, with shelves, mirrors, and hooks adhering to Colostomy UK guidelines to allow a safe, clean place for visitors to change their stoma bags.
The centre also has Changing Places facilities for children and adults with profound and multiple disabilities, as sunflower lanyards for visitors with hidden disabilities, and sensory toys which can be collected from the Customer Service Centre.
For further information on accessibility facilities at White Rose, visit www.white-rose.co.uk
