Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces

Lead Research Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Department Name: Faculty of Development and Society

Abstract

Since April 2015, the Around the Toilet project has been exploring what makes a safe and accessible toilet space. Through the project we have shown that while toilets are often thought to be a mundane space, for those for whom a lack of adequate or accessible toilet provision is a crucial practical issue on a daily basis, toilets are 'the big necessity' (George, 2011). Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces introduces a new leg of the Around the Toilet project. It is made up of three strands, which are directed at communities invested in the project in different ways.

Strand A continues our commitment to working within queer and disability arts, but unlike previous work adds a more explicit international dimension. It begins by collaboratively producing a film which which describes journeys taken or not taken due to in/accessible toilets. The film will be screened at queer and disability arts event in Toronto (Canada), Reykjavik (Iceland), as well as within the UK. We will also submit the film to be screened at 'mainstream' film festivals in order to widen our audience.

Strand B continues dissemination activity with architects and design professionals. To do this we will work collaboratively with Sheffield School of Architecture and the 'Live Works' Urban Room, to develop and deliver a 'Studio Pack', Re-Imagining Access, to be used with MA Architecture Students. The Studio Pack will first be used with MA Architecture Students at the University of Sheffield, before being made available to be used at architecture schools across the country. Strand B will also work closely with Gillian Kemp from Public Toilets UK to disseminate and receive feedback on the Toilet Toolkit (www.toilettoolkit.co.uk) which was developed through a previous project, Servicing Utopia.

Strand C follows numerous conversations created by the project about the infamous space of the school toilet. Working with Purple Patch Arts and using shadow puppetry, the project team will seek feedback from young people with learning difficulties on the outputs and findings produced through the project so far. This feedback will be curated by an artist to form an exhibition which school professionals will be invited to view and begin a dialogue around what makes a safe, accessible, and indeed pleasant, toilet space in schools.

Planned Impact

The project has been developed in close conjunction with project partners. As such, capacity for impact has been considered throughout. This statement outlines the direct and immediate beneficiaries and the more indirect and longer term impact that will outlast the 12 month duration of the project. Although the beneficiaries of each project strand are not distinct from one-another (i.e. young people may be involved in queer and disability arts), we address them in strands for clarity.

Through working with queer and disability arts, Strand A particularly focuses on "embodied legacies" (Facer & Enright, 2016, 6). For example, storytellers from the Travelling Toilet Tales project will be invited to collaborate on the production of the film, thus increasing skills sets and confidence. Inter/national audiences at film screening events may find their own experiences validated, and may wish to get further involved in the project by, for example, hosting their own screening. We envisage screenings at mainstream film festivals will engage with a different audience - here the impact will be around generating discussion and changing the discourse around access and toilet spaces.

Strand B engages with architects and trainee architects in order to create material change. Approximately 20 MArch students will be directly involved in the 'Re-Imagining Access' studio within the project's lifetime, and devise portfolio work around this theme (to be exhibited at Sheffield train station). Another 160 students and numerous staff will engage with their peers' work on this project. Meetings have also been timetabled in with Oxford Brookes and Manchester Schools of Architecture in order for the Studio Pack to be used nationally in the training of architects. Other beneficiaries of Strand B will include organisations such as the IBS Network, policy makers and other bodies with an interest in public toilets, who will be invited to engage with and feedback on the Toilet Toolkit through work with project partner, Gillian Kemp (Public Toilets UK).

Strand C involves young people, youth work practitioners and school professionals as research beneficiaries. The innovative and accessible methodology uses arts-based methods to capture young people's responses to project outputs and data, which will then be exhibited and in turn impact upon school professionals at a 'communicate' event. As outlined in the case for support, we see this strand of the research as the beginning of a dialogue around school toilets, therefore impact made through networking in this strand is likely to lead to further engagement with young people and targeted professionals.

Whilst working in Around the Toilet, we have learnt that 'impact' also happens in more unexpected ways. Although already engaged in toilet campaigns, project partners have noted that whereas previously they felt like lone voices, they now feel part of a community. Others have said that they had not considered issues of toilet access outside of their own experiences. Furthermore, those sought for their professional services (such as film makers, interpreters, university media teams) often comment that they have not considered issues of toilet access before coming into contact with the project.

Publicisation will be facilitated with the support of media and public engagement teams at our institutions. We will assess and evaluate impact at advisory board meetings. As further detailed in the case for support, Slater will work closely with RA Jones to record (and train others to record) impact at workshops and events by, for example, recording public and media responses to the films, and continuing the use of the (moderated) comment section of the project blog. Impact interviews will be used in latter stages of the project. More indirect and longer term beneficiaries of any changes in policy and practice will include those for whom inadequate toilet provision currently restricts wider access to community.
 
Title Lift the Lid (Zine) 
Description Mini self-published magazine collaboratively written and distributed to various sites (libraries, hairdressers, charities, activist organisations) for public disseminations 
Type Of Art Creative Writing 
Year Produced 2018 
Impact In 2017 a blog post asked for contributors to a self-published mini-magazine ('zine') about toilets, access and inclusive/exclusive spaces. In total there were 19 short, accessible contributions detailing people's toilet experiences. 200 copies of the zine was then distributed to a diverse range of individuals and organisations internationally, including youth centres, community groups, libraries, galleries, hair-dressers, student unions, and architecture practices. On requesting a copy of the zine to put in an exhibition about gender and public space, Ben Scott from design collective, Bad Little Brother, described Around the Toilet as 'a touchstone for us as we organize the exhibition'. The zine is also available online and has had nearly 3000 impressions. 
URL https://issuu.com/aroundthetoilet/docs/zine_finished_web_optimized
 
Title The Toilet. Animation 
Description The Toilet. 4 minute animation storying the experiences of four people trying to access toilets. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact A number of screenings at international film festivals and events (detailed in 'Engagement Activities). These have resulted in more requests for screenings from attendees, arts organisations and members of the public. 
URL https://vimeo.com/231888061
 
Description Over the course of this project a number of tools for impact have been developed. Significantly, a short animated film, The Toilet, was produced and toured a number of film festivals and events, sometimes with facilitated panel discussions. This will shortly be made available online. Another strand of this project worked with Sheffield School of Architecture to produce an online teaching tool to be used in the training of architects around issues of accessibility. This is in the process of being used with one class of MA students at the architecture school. It had been shown to a number of other architecture schools. It will also shortly be promoted online. Additionally, the creation of a zine sharing toilet musings and experiences has led to being contacted by a diverse range of individuals and organisations requesting copies for use.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Retail
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description 12 architecture students received in-depth training on toilet accessibility over period of several months
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact In process of conducting impact interviews with the architecture students
 
Description Building for Equality: Disability and the Built Environment - Around the Toilet cited as evidence
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmwomeq/631/631.pdf
 
Description Beers, Burgers, and Bleach: Hygiene, toilets, and hospitality in the time of COVID-19
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2020 
End 07/2021
 
Description Collaboration with Action for Trans* Health 
Organisation Action for Trans Health
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We have collaborated with Action for Trans* Health throughout the Around the Toilet project. Jess Bradley from Action for Trans* Health has been a paid collaborator, and the payment for their work has contributed to their solidarity fund (supporting trans people's health care). Postcards designed and made along with community partners including Action for Trans* Health have been used by the organisation and their networks in campaigning for more accessible toilet provision.
Collaborator Contribution Action for Trans* Health have offered expertise in trans people experiences of access to toilets. They have also given us access to participants and wider networks.
Impact Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was a speaker at the Public Speaker Event (Engagement Activities) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was part of the client team which fed into the Toilet Provocation/Installation (Artistic and Creative Outputs) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was interviewed by a journalist for the a speaker at Press Coverage - Mancunian Matters (Engagement Activities) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health joined the expert panel at the End of Project event Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities) Other members of Action for Trans Health joined us at the Connected Communities Utopia Fair in June 2016. Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health has joined the advisory board for Arts, Activism, Architecture and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Gemma Nash (Disability Artist - Drake Music) 
Organisation Drake Music
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Employment for independent artist, opportunity to collaborate on relevant project, platform to display artistic works
Collaborator Contribution Gemma Nash first became involved with Around the Toilet as a project participant, and later became the soundscape artist for Travelling Toilet Tales (funded through the Connected Communities Utopia 16 call). Gemma Nash is a Community Co-I on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces.
Impact Funding for the Travelling Toilet Tales Project Travelling Toilet Tales soundscape Funding for Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Public Toilets UK 
Organisation Public Toilets UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Public toilets UK is a campaigning group campaigning for ? More clean, well maintained toilets when you're out and about [immediate] ? Public toilets to become a legal requirement We invited a member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event
Collaborator Contribution A member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, offering their expertise. Later in the New Spaces project they became a member of our advisory board.
Impact A member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo. Public Toilets UK were partners on the AHRC funded Connected Communities Travelling Toilet Tales project culminating in a three day event at Somerset House London in June 2016. Public Toilets UK are partners on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Sarah Rennie at The Wisdom Factory 
Organisation Wisdom Factory CIC
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Sarah Rennie is a solicitor, turned disability equality practitioner. After leaving law, she secured a PgCert Inclusive Design, became an access auditor and was elected President of the national Access Association. Sarah is a full time director of The Wisdom Factory CIC (thewisdomfactory.org) and delivers disability equality training around the UK. She is a member of the steering group for Sisters of Frida which provides her with an international platform on which to speak about disabled women's barriers. Rennie worked with Care and two 'Live Works' students to design the studio on accessibility.
Collaborator Contribution Sarah Rennie is a solicitor, turned disability equality practitioner. After leaving law, she secured a PgCert Inclusive Design, became an access auditor and was elected President of the national Access Association. Sarah is a full time director of The Wisdom Factory CIC (thewisdomfactory.org) and delivers disability equality training around the UK. She is a member of the steering group for Sisters of Frida which provides her with an international platform on which to speak about disabled women's barriers. Rennie worked with Care and two 'Live Works' students to design the studio on accessibility.
Impact Studio Pack for training architects
Start Year 2017
 
Description Collaboration with Sheffield Live Works 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Department School of Architecture
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Sheffield Live Works have provided a link to Sheffield School of Architecture, as well as the expertise to design training tools for MA Architecture Students
Collaborator Contribution Live Works graduate students have created an online studio pack for use in the training of architects
Impact Studio Pack for use in training architects
Start Year 2017
 
Description Collaboration with Truckers Toilets UK 
Organisation Truckers' Toilets
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Truckers Toilets UK are a campaigning organisation calling for greater access to toilets for lorry and truck drivers. We invited them to our end of project event to join the expert panel, and to engage with debates with other toilet campaigners.
Collaborator Contribution A member of Truckers Toilets UK shared her expertise by joining the expert panel at the end of project event.
Impact A member of Truckers Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo. Truckers Toilets UK were partners on the AHRC funded Connected Communities Travelling Toilet Tales project culminating in a three day event at Somerset House London in June 2016. Truckers Toilets UK are partners on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Title Toilet Studio Pack for architecture training 
Description A web platform designed for use by architecture students and their teachers in thinking about toilet accessibility and accessibility more widely 
Type Of Technology Webtool/Application 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact So far the website has been developed and tested in training of 12 architecture students at the University of Sheffield. It has been pitched to other universities in the hope that they too will use it. 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wixsite.com/toiletdesigntoolkit
 
Description GScene article about The Toilet. film launch 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact GScene publication printed article about The Toilet. film
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.gscene.com/news/new-film-highlights-toilet-experiences-of-trans-disabled-and-muslims/
 
Description Interactive poster exhibit - Academia and Affect Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact 50 attendees were able to interact with the poster exhibit in the conference toilets
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Local newspaper (The Sheffield Star) about The Toilet film showing 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Local newspaper picked up press release advertising the Sheffield (local) launch of The Toilet.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/movie-about-toilets-gets-world-premiere-in-sheffield-1-8844414
 
Description National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) showcased our work at their annual conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The NCCPE made a film highlighting the work of Around the Toilet and showed it at their annual conference. This was a year on from winning a public engagement award from the NCCPE.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMDyb-6d5x0
 
Description Support LGBT young people - 2 public events (Huddersfield and Sheffield) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Two public events primarily targeted at LGBT youth workers and practitioners were held in Sheffield and Huddersfield. Each had an audience of around 50+ people. Slater presented some of the work from Around the Toilet specifically focusing on young people and schools. High levels of engagement in person and on Twitter, including invitations to collaborate with Barnardos youth services, and Barnsley youth services.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.eventbrite.com/e/approaches-to-supporting-lgbt-young-people-tickets-35628840822
 
Description The Toilet. (film) screened at Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQUIFF) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Toilet. was selected to be shown in a series of shorts at the film festival. Charlotte Jones attended with additional project merchandise and information.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.sqiff.org/event/sqiff-shorts-sketches/
 
Description The Toilet. film shown at Together! Disability Film Festival (London, UK) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Toilet. was selected to be shown at Together! Disability Film Festival in London. As a result, disabled artist, Ju Gosling, got in touch with us and we have continued to collaborate, including discussing further film showings in London.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/together-2017-disability-film-festival/
 
Description The Toilet. screened as part of Tabu event, Reykjavik 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Event held for Tabu, a disabled women's collective in Reykjavik, Iceland. Around 40 people attended from Icelandic queer and disability organisations. Lots of questions and discussion during the event, and some following on the Facebook event page. Some follow-up from participants asking if they could screen the film for various events.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/734648893389716/
 
Description The Toilet. shown at Manchester Animation Film Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Toilet. was selected and shown at Manchester Animation Film Festival.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/films/the-toilet/
 
Description Toilets Consortium Meeting - Houses of Parliment, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Meeting of Public Toilet Consortium - a group campaigning for more public toilets
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Whose Body Whose Space? Film screening and panel discussion 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Film screening to launch The Toilet. film in Sheffield. Sold out event with just over 100 delegates. Panel discussion led to lots of questions from the audience. Positive feedback about changing views and rethinking the importance of toilets.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whose-body-whose-space-film-screening-and-discussion-tickets-35889210...
 
Description Workshop with LGBT Youth Group 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Workshop with LGBT youth group in order to get feedback from LGBT young people about the Around the Toilet project outputs so far. Lots of questions, discussion and sharing of experiences throughout. Youth workers reported the importance of giving the young people space to talk about toilets.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.esrc.ac.uk/files/public-engagement/festival-of-social-science/festival-of-social-science-...