Construction work has begun on the UK's first play centre and exercise facility specifically designed for disabled children and young people, located near Bristol. The project is being led by local charity Gympanzees, which is transforming the former services station adjacent to the M48 Severn Bridge.
State-of-the-art facility
The vast 2,350 square metre ground floor will be converted into 10 dedicated play rooms, including a gym, light and dark sensory rooms, an active sensory space, a trampoline room, a café, a music room, and soft play areas. The centre is expected to welcome over 200,000 visitors annually once it opens to the public later this year.
Until now, Gympanzees has hosted pop-up events that attracted thousands of families from across the country. Stephanie Wheen, founder and chief executive of Gympanzees, expressed gratitude to funders, corporate partners, and the public for their support. She noted that while feedback on services has been fantastic, families deserve more than temporary pop-up events and remote support.
Partnership with local construction company
Bristol-based construction company Oakland is partnering with the charity on the project. Tom Lee-Fox, managing director of Oakland, described it as a privilege to be involved, highlighting the company's experience in health, education, and care settings. He emphasized that this is not just another construction project but an opportunity to be part of Gympanzees' journey and make a difference to the lives of those supported by the charity.
Funding and impact
In April, Gympanzees secured nearly £1 million from the National Lottery for the scheme. The total funds raised by the organisation, including the lottery community fund, now stand at £8 million. Ms Wheen recalled witnessing a three-year-old laugh for the first time and a teenager pulling herself up to stand independently at previous sensory play and exercise sessions. With this new centre, she aims to create hundreds more such moments.
