Tottenham Hotspur Stadium celebrated as first ever ‘Fair Change’ venue

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been celebrated as the first ever ‘Fair Change’ accredited venue, making baby changing accessible to all parents and caregivers.

An event organised by feminist non-profit Love & Power, hosted by the Club, saw Executive Director, Donna-Maria Cullen, and Men’s First Team player, Ben Davies, presented with a special plaque in recognition of the achievement.

Deputy Mayor of London, Joanne McCartney, and members of our Official Supporters’ Trust and Women of the Lane supporters’ association were amongst those in attendance, alongside parents, caregivers and their young children.

It follows the launch of the ‘Bum Deal’ campaign by Love & Power in June, aimed at promoting parenting as a shared responsibility, giving Dads, uncles, grandfathers and male caregivers the same access to essential facilities as their female counterparts. 

It is estimated that only 15% of public toilets in the UK have baby changing facilities accessible to all caregivers. A similar campaign to change legislation in the US, supported by musician John Legend, resulted in the BABIES Act mandating federal buildings to provide baby change, and New York City explicitly requiring baby change to be accessible to all caregivers.

As part of the Club’s continued drive to deliver fully inclusive facilities and fan experiences, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has nine accessible baby changing bathrooms available to all fans attending events, located in every stand.

Charlotte Fischer, Co-Director of Love & Power, said: “I am a Mum who grew up going to football with my Dad, so I know how important football grounds are for Dads and their kids. I was always so frustrated that everywhere me and my partner went, either I would have to change a nappy or he would but there would be nowhere adequate for him to do so – we’ve changed our baby on a car bonnet, on grass or even on a dining table in a restaurant! Our campaign began through ordinary parents sharing their frustrations.

“Our end goal is for legislation to be introduced in two years that requires any public venue with a toilet to include baby changing accessible to all caregivers. To get there, we need 10 iconic British locations to become ‘Fair Change’ venues – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the first.  

“Spurs have changed the game for us on this – we’ve had hundreds of people signing up to be part of the campaign and other public venues contacting us to say ‘if Spurs are doing it, we’ll do it too’ – they’ve made it seem possible. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is unlike anything I have ever seen in terms of accessibility and inclusion.”

Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “As a Club that prides itself on diversity, equity and inclusion, our stadium becoming the first ever ‘Fair Change’ venue further promotes the clear message that parenting is for all and dispels the notion that changing nappies is solely the job of the female caregiver.

“We are extremely proud to be leading on this campaign and giving both Mums and Dads an opportunity to attend events at our stadium with their young children, safe in the knowledge that baby changing will never be an obstacle.”

Ben Davies added: “There’s nothing better in life than being a parent and every chance I get away from football is about prioritising my family, being as hands-on as I can be.

“I know that bringing young children like my own to football matches comes with its challenges, but we have made great efforts as a Club to make our stadium as accessible as possible – it’s great to see we’re taking the lead on this.”