UK Opens First Permanent Play Centre Built Specifically for Disabled Children

Gympanzees, the United Kingdom’s first permanent play and leisure centre designed exclusively for disabled children, is scheduled to open its doors in the spring.

The facility occupies a converted former service station located near the Severn Bridge, northwest of Bristol. Stephanie Wheen, a children's physiotherapist, initiated the project in 2016 after observing that local sessions were consistently fully booked. She identified gaps in community access, including poor infrastructure and ill-fitting equipment, which she described as heartbreaking for children who required regular physical activity.

Data from the charity Scope indicates that 50% of UK playgrounds lack accessibility for disabled children. Additionally, children with disabilities are twice as likely to be obese compared to their non-disabled peers. To test the concept before securing permanent premises, Wheen and a volunteer team operated pop-up sessions in Send schools during holidays. They transported specialist equipment on three lorries. During the first four weeks, the group hosted 1,000 visitors, some of whom traveled up to eight hours to attend.

Securing a permanent location required substantial financial commitment. The team purchased the 4,000 square meter site, which was 60 years old, using a £2.2 million loan. They have since raised more than £10 million for construction and renovation, with £400,000 remaining to be secured. The three-year design process resulted in a two-storey facility containing 10 distinct spaces. These include a music room, a gym, a trampoline and climbing area, and sensory rooms. The soft play area features two hoist systems to allow wheelchair users to access all levels. A party room will utilize eye-gaze technology to control DJ equipment.

The centre plans to offer tailored sessions categorized as butterfly, leopard, and gorilla, catering to children with complex medical needs, sensory requirements, and social challenges, respectively. Fran Garland, the chief operating officer, stated that the design prioritizes inclusivity by asking what activities children can attempt rather than restricting them to standard options. The site also includes a cafe, a shop stocking nappies and feeding tubes, and a lending library for parents.

Parents have expressed strong anticipation for the opening. Bethan Campbell-Watkins, whose five-year-old daughter Malaya has autism and learning difficulties, said the centre is life-changing for families who have faced judgment at traditional play areas. Kelly Cotter, whose 15-year-old non-verbal son Adam uses a wheelchair, noted that her family’s options had narrowed as he grew older. She described the scale of the new facility as mind-boggling and emphasized that it provides children with genuine choices.

Wheen projects that the center will host up to 200,000 visitors annually. She aims to expand the model by opening 12 additional sites across the country, with the goal of ensuring every child is within an hour of a Gympanzees location.