Ray's Opportunities

Ray’s Opportunities is a volunteer-led charity based in Forres, Morayshire that supports local people with disabilities and additional support needs, along with their families and carers, to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

The group provide volunteering opportunities, skills workshops and inclusive activities to help people build life skills, confidence and pathways towards employment and community participation.

In 2025, Ray’s Opportunities purchased the closed ‘Leys Road’ toilets from Moray Council with the aim of transforming the building into an accessible Changing Spaces toilet.

Plans for the site were shaped by the organisation’s user group, made up of local volunteers with a wide range of life experiences and needs. Working alongside an architect, they developed designs which were then submitted to Moray Council for planning permission.

To help make Rays Restrooms possible, the organisation needed funding both for capital costs and ongoing maintenance. They intended on applying to the Changing Places Toilet Fund but needed additional support navigating the application process and identifying other funding options.

Through Accelerate, we worked closely with Ray's Opportunities to identify suitable funding opportunities and provide support throughout the process.

This included hands-on support with their application to the Changing Spaces Toilet Fund, as well as guidance on applying to other relevant funding programmes once planning permission had been secured.

Alongside this, we helped the organisation strengthen its crowdfunding approach. This covered preparation and launch of a crowdfunder, with advice on effective wording, marketing, and the planning of suitable promotional events and activities.

Thanks to Accelerate, Ray's Opportunities have been able to build skills and confidence in the funding process, and secure funding for their project.

Their application to the Changing Places Toilet Fund was successful, resulting in an award of £117,361.44.

They have also raised over £4,000 through their crowdfunding campaign, secured support from the local newspaper, and planned a range of community events.

The organisation is now well positioned to continue building on this success, with greater confidence, new fundraising skills and the knowledge to make the most of future opportunities.