Work begins on permanent gym for disabled children
BBCWork has begun on what is thought to be the world's first fully accessible play centre for children with physical disabilities.
The 14-acre (5.7-hectare) site, next to Severn View Services, in South Gloucestershire, is set to be the first permanent home of the charity Gympanzees, which works to create exercise and play facilities for disabled children and young people.
The facility is expected to open in 2026 but the charity still needs to raise the second half of their £8m target to complete all necessary renovations.
Karina Kay, whose son Joel uses the service, said she was amazed by the "big" and "spacious" new space.
"It's a good support network Joel can come along to and then I can meet other parents who use the service," she said.
"Having somewhere that is a permanent location to come to any day of the week, not just in the holidays, will be such a good opportunity for him to have a safe space with everything that he needs," she said.
"It will be amazing for Joel, it's such a big and spacious place.
"It will really help him mobilise and will be really fun at the same time."
Gympanzees have been operating through pop-up events in temporary homes around Bristol since 2018 and have attracted tens of thousands of attendees.
"People are travelling from around the country to come to us, and they're staying in hotels," said Stephanie Wheen, founder of Gympanzees.
"The need is absolutely massive, and the feedback we get is immense."
The facility will include a trampoline room, soft play and sensory rooms among others.
Cutting edge equipment is being brought in to ensure that everything in the new space is as inclusive as it can possibly be, Ms Wheen said.
"We have things like the inner walk, which is a cross trainer for our most physically disabled children.
"It can be the first time that they have been out of breath in their whole lives and the first time they've ever had exercise," she added.
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