The Bog Cast
A podcast led by Becky Wall BEM who is the co-owner of the Loo Of The Year Awards. The Awards have a history going back almost 40 years and it involves nominees being assessed via an independent inspection of their site. The Awards cover any premises offering out-of-home washrooms across the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The podcast will share the stories of those who work within the facilities management sector and those who value being able to use excellent toilet facilities.
The Bog Cast
Behind the Scenes of the Loo of the Year Awards with Jane Kibble
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In this episode, Becky is joined by Jane Kibble, Manager of the Loo of the Year Awards, who has been at the heart of the organisation for the past ten years.
Jane shares how she joined the business following a career in childcare and after the loss of her husband, before reflecting on how she came to work alongside Becky and Charles. She recalls staying with them after they purchased the Loo of the Year Awards in 2021 and the exciting journey, they have shared over the past four and a half years.
Growing the Awards Together
Jane gives a fascinating insight into her varied role, from marketing the awards and supporting entrants to coordinating inspection results and distributing certificates. She explains why the awards mean so much to entrants and how public recognition of the Loo of the Year Awards continues to grow.
Driving Change
The conversation explores how the business has evolved under its new ownership, embracing social media, building a strong team, listening to new ideas, and raising awareness of the importance of high-quality away-from-home washrooms. Jane also highlights the vital role of accessible and Changing Places toilets and why education has an important part to play in improving washroom standards for future generations.
Behind Awards Day
Jane takes listeners behind the scenes of the Loo of the Year Awards, sharing what it takes to deliver a successful event, from supporting exhibitors, speakers and guests to the organised chaos of awards day preparations. She also discusses her passion for safeguarding within washrooms, suggests a new Family Room award category, and reveals the simple thing that gives her the biggest buzz in her role.
A warm and insightful conversation celebrating teamwork, dedication, and the people behind the UK's leading washroom standards awards.
www.loo.co.uk or infomraiton@loo.co.uk or 01531 640715
Hello and welcome to Lieu of the Year Awards podcast. I hope you've enjoyed our previous episodes, and today we are talking to Jane, our awards manager. So without further ado, let's lift the lid on what you do. Jane, would you just like to introduce yourself and what you do for Lou of the Year Awards, please?
SPEAKER_01Hi, I'm Jane Kibble, and I've been working for Lou of the Year Awards for nearly 10 years, and I do all the administration, um, chasing entrants and collating statistics and giving out um certificates, etc., helping with the awards ceremony and anything else that gets thrown my way.
SPEAKER_00So, what drew you to do this job with Lou of the Year Awards?
SPEAKER_01Well, I didn't know anything about it, to be honest, and I lost my husband 10 years ago. Sorry to hear that. Thank you. And a member of his family owned Lou of the Year Awards, and I was looking for a new challenge in life because my life was moving on, and they offered me the position of awards manager because their awards manager had just gone off on maternity leave. And I thought, well, that's something totally different because I've been in childcare all my life, and I thought, well, why not? Let's have a go and see how we get on.
SPEAKER_00Wonderful. And can you tell the listeners how we met through Louis of the Year Awards?
SPEAKER_01We met through Louis the Year Awards because you entered your high-end mobile toilets and you won an award for the individual category. And we met because you came to the awards, and I was on the reception at the awards, and realized that we only lived three-quarters of an hour away from one another, which was great, and we just hit it off.
SPEAKER_00Do you remember that that once where uh the weather was very cold?
SPEAKER_01I certainly do. My heater had packed up in my car, and you very kindly lent me a pair of gloves. One had got a hole in the finger, it had. Uh and I know that on the phone.
SPEAKER_00Still wear them now when I take the dog for a walk. Oh, lovely. That's great. So moving on then from when you started with Lou with the Year Awards. Um we, as in Charles and I, as you quite rightly said, were part um of Lou with the Year Awards through Plush Flush. But we have recently, um, in the last four and a half years, purchased Lou with the Year Awards. As the gentleman that owned it at the time was retiring. And you decided to stay with us. What's changed since we took over? What's what have you noticed with Lou of the Year Awards?
SPEAKER_01It's moving forward. And it's moving forward, it's growing. Um, the previous owner wasn't keen on social media, um, and you're very good on social media. Um, there's something every week, if not every day. Um, you're aware of what's going on in the world and incorporate that into the social media, and I think that's really raised the roof um on where you're going. Um, also, you now have a very good team that support you. You listen to your team and you take their feedback on board and you act on it.
SPEAKER_00That's really very kind of you to say a lot of you're there. But I think we are a team and I think we obviously are trying to move forward. How can you reflect on what your part in that is and and are you more involved than you were? And if so, where and and what do you enjoy about it?
SPEAKER_01I enjoy the buzz. Um, I am very involved on a daily basis, whereas before I was just the admin person at the end of the phone or the end of the computer. Um, I'm in included in anything that you do, meetings that you go to, um, awards that you go to, shows that you go to, cleaning shows, and of course, Tina, which was my birthday present, which was wonderful. Um, and Coldplay, don't forget Coldplay. Um, so move moving in that direction, the team is expanded. You have a really good supportive team, you've listened to what they've said, you've taken the feedback on board, and you've acted upon that, which makes them more liable to follow what we're doing. They all enjoy what they do.
SPEAKER_00Um they're passionate about what they're doing.
SPEAKER_01They are, they are. Um, they love the uniform when we went into uniform because it made us instantly recognizable. More of a brand, wasn't it? Yeah. And because we've now had that for four years, when you walk into places now, they go, Oh, it's Lou of the Year again. God, is it that time already?
SPEAKER_00Um, so yeah, that's and so because you are very much on on the end of the phone to everyone that enters, you probably have more contact with them than than any of us, really. Uh, what's the feedback that you get from the people that have entered now? How does how does entering Lou of the U awards help them in their business?
SPEAKER_01Well, they enjoy the fact that they get a grading um and they use that on their website, so it helps them with their marketing. Um, and they like meeting the inspectors, they look forward to it, they take pride in what they are entering, so it's a full circle there, you know, everybody enjoys it.
SPEAKER_00And so, how do you feel the importance of the Lou of the Year Awards um is to the general public? Because obviously Lou of the Year Award does all the way from home washrooms. So, how do you think that that's taken by the general public? Do you think it's it's been noticed?
SPEAKER_01I think so. I think so because more and more people are aware of Liew of the Year. Um, if I made phone calls to shopping centres or entrants that were like a shopping centre where you've got the person that answers the phone, but then you want to speak to sort of like the manager. Now, if I speak to a shopping centre, which I have done this morning, and I just said, Oh, good morning, it's Jane Kibble from Louis of the Year. Oh, hello, how are you? You know, we were ever so pleased with our grading, it was great. So this this raises the awareness, and that's that's what it's all about. They enjoy raising the awareness.
SPEAKER_00So great, that follows on from what um, or actually brings me in, sorry, to what I would like to ask you about is awareness. Lou of the Year Awards is very much more now trying to erase awareness of the need for toilets both for abled and disabled people, and whether that be physical or mental. Um, how do you feel with the awards ceremony itself and perhaps what's being done now on the website? How we're doing that, are we achieving it? Do we where do you see that going? I think so.
SPEAKER_01Um, because it's raising the public's awareness by the um the speakers that we have. Um, I mean, when I first joined Louis the Year, I knew nothing about changing places, hadn't got a clue what they were. Um, and now virtually everybody knows that you, especially the people that come, obviously, they all know what it is, and they're all trying to raise awareness. And we're looking forward to having our speaker, Chris, who will raise the awareness even more.
SPEAKER_00So, Jane, you're just talking about changing places, and there may be people that are listening today that don't actually understand what a change in places is and how it may differ from other toilets. Are you able just to explain that to us, please?
SPEAKER_01Yes, certainly. Uh, changing places is a room that is um completely kitted out to suit people with disabilities that need um a bed to change on. So you would have a bed, a rise and fall bed, um, an ambient toilet and wash basin, um, and a tracking hoist. So if somebody needed to go to the toilet but they were on the bed and you couldn't lift them, you could use the hoist to lift them. It could be tracked to the toilet and then it could be tracked back to the bed. A lot of changing places have a shower in. So if you have a person that unfortunately has got themselves into a bit of a pickle, they can have a shower, they can sit in the hoist, the hoist can take them across to the shower, it can take them to the toilet, it can take them back to the bed. Um, it usually has a mirror and a privacy screen for dignity, and it should be 12 meters square. And I think more people are taking on board that they need accessible toilets, they need changing places. Um, it raises their awareness within the public domain because if you've got a change in places in your shopping centre, your footfall is going to be higher because people don't have to worry, they can come for the day, whereas before they could probably only stay for an hour. The same as visitor attractions like Poultons Park, etc., they have changing places and they've said it does definitely make a difference.
SPEAKER_00So let's go to the awards ceremony itself. Tell me what you do, tell me how you get involved, tell me what gives you the buzz or makes you stress, you know. Tell tell us what an awards manager does at um on the day.
SPEAKER_01On the day, you try and make sure that everything is running smoothly to take the pressure off you and Charles and that everything is in order. Um, that the speakers are there, that they're well looked after, that the display companies are there and that they're well looked after, and just generally making sure everything is running smoothly, and if any hiccups come, then try and sort them out and dealing with the um food problems, etc. Because we're any human at the end of the day, and things do happen. Things happen beyond our control, but it's just the buzz. I can't describe the buzz, but it's like when we have a phone call and you've been somewhere that I haven't, and you're telling me about it, and yeah, great.
SPEAKER_00It's the passion, it's the passion, yeah. It's the passion. Um, the run-up to the awards day. So we just talked about the awards day and that. What how do you feel that goes? Because obviously there's quite a lot of information to be collated and put together and printed, um, people to talk to, as you were talking then about food, sorting out dietary requirements. Is that something you you enjoy, or do you find or do you find that quite stressful?
SPEAKER_01No, it it's chaotic, but it's chaotic in a stressful and nice way. Uh, make a list, follow the list. Can't always follow the list because you know life happens and things get in the way. But so long as you are focused on what you're doing, then hopefully it will all run smoothly. And there are times when you have to chase people and chase people again and chase people again, but it's all part and parcel of the job, and that's where the buzz comes in.
SPEAKER_00So if somebody came up to you and said, Jane, what do you do for your job and asked you about it? How would you encourage them to get involved with what you do?
SPEAKER_01Um, I'd explain what I do on a daily basis, working on the computer, talking to people on the phone, gathering entrants, etc., etc., and then find out why they wanted to know and were they interested, and if so, why were they interested and what was their interest in it? If that makes sense.
SPEAKER_00And how would you and how would you sell it then to someone?
SPEAKER_01Um the basis of raising awareness for everybody, um, not just us, but for children for disabilities of of all shapes and sizes, um, and encouraging people to, if they're entering for the first time, enter to have feedback on their entry, okay, because then that helps them to raise awareness, it helps them to possibly get a higher grade, um, and the and moving forward with them.
SPEAKER_00So you did mention that before you did Lou of the Year Awards, you were in childcare and educating people to do childcare. Yeah. Um, just give us a little idea of what you feel we should try and do at Lue of the Year Awards to improve education both at the child that the child and at the parents and the staff and people that are involved in day-to-day life, because we know that many of the problems that start health-wise for children start at a very young age due to toilet in practice. So, what would your advice be and and would how would you encourage them maybe to join us to raise those those awarenesses?
SPEAKER_01Uh I think schools should uh be part of it, um especially the the preschool, because you're starting right in the basic area then with toilet training. But I also think that the parents need uh support with toilet training, and we supported Eric, um, the children's bowl and bladder charity. And I think that's where a lot of it starts. It needs to start there. Parents need to be aware of the necessity and the hygiene. Um, it's not all down to the schools, it's not fair that it's down to the schools, but schools also need to work with it. You can't stop children from going to the toilet, it is their human right, the same as it is in adults. And I think schools need to be aware of this because a lot of the secondary schools lock them off because of uh bullying, etc. But it they they shouldn't do that, it should be monitored so that that doesn't happen, and toilet should be designed in a better way. So, again, that that doesn't happen.
SPEAKER_00And with that in mind, you talk about design. Tell us about things that you've come across for safeguarding um and neurodiverse um adults and children. What could be put in place and what have you seen in washrooms? Because you, I understand, do go out inspecting as well.
SPEAKER_01I certainly do, yes, that's all part and parcel of the job, and I do enjoy it. Um there's a lot of um safeguarding notices um that are in pubs mainly, weatherspoons. Um, some shopping centres have them, but I think that they should be everywhere because there's so much abuse that goes on, um, whether it be adult or child abuse, and I think they need to be feeling safe when they go to the toilets. Um so there's the safeguarding side of it. Um the actual toilets themselves need to be bright, they need to be clean, and they need to have all the facilities there uh at hand for whoever is using them.
SPEAKER_00So, what sort of facilities um would you like to see and and how do those Lou of the Year awards promote that? So, for instance, period dignity, um eco awards, we're looking into adding new hygiene, inclusive hygiene award, what sort of things would you be looking for to see people enter those?
SPEAKER_01I think um period dignity providing sanitary products for women is good, but I think it should also be for men, right? Because men suffer with um stoma, etc., and have to use pads now very often, so all that should be available. Um the um toilets themselves should be safe. Sensor um taps for the hygiene and sensor soap, and now sensor paper towels, um, and if they have uh warm air dryers, then not too noisy because people with autism or neurodiversity, it can upset them. Um and I think also it should be adult size and it should be children's size. Um, you know, if you've got an adult-sized toilet, very often children are very frightened of them. They think they're gonna fall down the hole. So uh an insert in the seat or and and also a step up if they can't provide low-level facilities.
SPEAKER_00Is there any award that you would feel should be involved that we haven't already got?
SPEAKER_01I think that it would be nice to introduce a family room award because we have baby change and we have accessible toilets, um, and a lot of the accessible toilets that we go to that are almost a change in places but not quite, now have full baby change facilities in, and also a room off to the side for breastfeeding um parents, um, and perhaps a little kitchen area with a microwave um, etc. So I think, and also having a high and a low-level toilet. So I think yeah, for training. So I think it would be nice to incorporate that, and and it shouldn't be too difficult on the grading sheet.
SPEAKER_00More on the grading sheet. More on the grading sheet. Even Martin says there's over a hundred. That's one of the inspectors. What about a fun fact to do with toilets? Have you got anything that you can well yes?
SPEAKER_01Go on. Did you know that the average person spends three years of their life on the toilet? Really?
SPEAKER_00Um, so one last thing. What would your highlight be of an award manager at the moment for Louis Dear Awards? What's one of your highlights, do you think?
SPEAKER_01The meeting last Thursday that we had. Uh I enjoy the buzz. I don't know how to explain it, of anything that's new coming on board, any ideas that we throw around, and now looking to sort of digitalise stuff, I think is a great move forward. And I want to be part of it. I keep threatening to retire, but I just want to be part of it all. And I just wish I was 20 years younger.
SPEAKER_00Um, so before we finish, is there anything else that you would like to say about Louis the Year Awards, about your experience over the last 10 years or over the last four and a half years, um, and and what you'd like to see for the future?
SPEAKER_01Well, we just go for the last four and a half years. Okay, where I have felt part of a team very, very much appreciated by you and Charles. Um, I feel that the team itself has grown, and we are all now team players where we were a little bit disjointed at first, but we're now all good. Um, and I I just want to see Louis the Awards grow, and I want to be part of that, and I think it's going in the right direction, even though I keep threatening to retire.
SPEAKER_00And so, if people want to enter, where can they find your information, Jane, to be able to enter the awards or to find out more information about the awards themselves?
SPEAKER_01Well, we have our website which is www.lu.co.uk, and all the information is on there, they can enter from there. Um, the criteria for judging is on there, it shows you all the awards that are on there, and I think that that's a great place to be. But my telephone number is there and they can ring me anytime, and I will give them as much information as they require.
SPEAKER_00Wonderful. I'm going to say thank you for attending today and coming and talking to us about Louis the Year Awards. I understand that the um entries are now open again for 2026. Yes, they are. Um, so we'll we will be pushing that with social media, I guess, and you'll be busy on the marketing, sending out your emails. Fantastic. Well, thank you for your time today, Jane, and I hope that you get lots of people who listen to this and get in touch. Thank you. It's been a pleasure. Thank you. Um, I understand the awards are well and now truly open for 2026. So I hope that this encourages you to um enter and that Jane gets lots of entries through the website.