GYMPANZEES

Gympanzees BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

A world of fun and fitness for all disabled children

Imagine a world where children’s play areas and parks are accessible and inclusive for kids of all abilities. What a beautiful world that would be, allowing children of every age and ability to join in, have fun and socialise with other kids. In 2022, it’s hard to believe just how hard it is for families with disabled children to find accessible play opportunities. Gympanzees is a charity dedicated to changing this. Gympanzees is an inclusive and accessible space that welcomes children of all ages and abilities to enjoy fun activities and play time, in a welcoming and safe environment with their family, friends and carers. It is based in Bristol and currently runs pop-up spaces during school holiday periods, allowing families with disabled children access to the rare opportunity of accessible play, exercise and social interaction. Gympanzees is running a campaign to open a permanent facility in Bristol to offer the 66,000 disabled children and young people who live within an hour of Bristol, access to an amazing, accessible experience. The Project Home Appeal is raising funds to build the first-ever Gympanzees centre, and is supported by the many families living in the South West who have experienced the benefits of Gympanzees. Gympanzees research has shown that 77% of the 66,000 disabled children living within an hour of Bristol cannot access regular leisure facilities and are twice as likely to be lonely compared to their non-disabled peers. Gympanzees provide play, exercise, and social opportunities to disabled children and their families to improve health and help end this isolation. The charity was recently presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation, for their inclusive leisure facilities.

The research also highlighted that 72% of parents with a disabled child suffer mental health issues because of isolation. Leila, a parent from Bristol, said: “Leaving the house when you have a disabled child is almost like a military operation. You have to get ready, you have to think ahead, you have to do the research, about accessibility, about changing places.” Emma from North Somerset said: “As a parent of a child with disabilities accessing fun and days out has been a challenge. Isabella was invited to her best friend’s birthday party. “It was a swimming pool party. And unfortunately, because Isabella is a full-time wheelchair user, we were unable to go to the party because I couldn’t physically get her into the swimming pool. It was heartbreaking to say to your eightyear-old child, I’m sorry, you can’t go to the party.” Gympanzees have been running pop-up play and exercise

centres during the Easter and summer holidays as they fundraise for a permanent home. The charity takes over a school and fills it with different themed rooms and specialist kit designed for all abilities. They have seen incredible results, such as a five-year-old who slept through the night for the first time after her session and a threeyear-old boy who had their first-ever laugh. Owen, a parent from Bristol, said: “The pop-ups are brilliant, but they only pop up during the holidays and can become oversubscribed – a permanent centre would change that.”

Emma, mum to nine-year-old Isabella, said: “To have a permanent Gympanzees centre in Bristol would be life-changing for our family. It would give us a sense of belonging. We could come along with other families like us, Isabella could have her birthday party at Gympanzees, and it’s all accessible to her and her friends as well.”

Gympanzees have had over 10,000 visits to their pop-up facilities over the 70 days they’ve run, proving just how indemand their service is.

GYMPANZEES HOME

The Project Home Appeal is aiming to raise funds to allow the charity to open a permanent facility in Bristol, and the home of Gympanzees will house an incredible array of opportunities for young disabled people. The centre will include:

TRAMPOLINE ROOM

Three in-ground trampolines will feature with hoists positioned above all trampolines. These will also be used for rebound therapy.

MUSIC ROOM

A fully sound-proofed music room complete with high tech equipment, musical floor mat, music beams and musical walls. A fully immersive sensory experience.

ACTIVE SENSORY ROOM

This will feature an interactive sandpit, multiple interactive screens and an interactive floor mat, allowing the children to change the feel of the whole room.

GYM

This gym will feature adult and child-sized gym equipment, as well as disability specific items including the Innowalk and MOTOmed. In addition you will find a snowboarding machine, activity walls, dance machine, active arcade games and a mechanical horse.

QUIET SENSORY

Full of visual and tactile items to explore, the room will be dark with fibreoptic lights, vibrating beds and dark dens. You will also find a bubble machine and projector.

INDOOR PLAYGROUND

Sitting in the centre of the facility this playground will include wheelchair accessible slides, swings and roundabouts. It will also feature basket swings, bucket swings and regular swings, monkey bars, spinning equipment and ramps for ride-on scooters and trikes.

SOFT PLAY

A three-floor multi-ability soft play will offer fun for everyone, with a wheelchair accessible level and built to a height that allows parents to get involved. They are also planning a sit on zip wire in this area.

SWING ROOM

For adrenaline seekers, this room will include swings hanging from the ceiling, platform swings, hug swing, bolster swing and more. You will also find hammocks for lounging, spinning chairs and rockers, plus a bouldering wall too.

To find out more visit Gympanzees.org.

They have seen incredible results, such as a five-year-old who slept through the night for the first time after her session