Lack of Appropriate Leisure
Gympanzees was the idea of Stephanie Wheen, a physiotherapist in Bristol, who specialises in children and young people with disabilities. Stephanie was overrun with clients looking for help for their children. She tried to take her clients out into the community but soon realised the lack of accessible leisure facilities.
“I tried to take my clients to the gym, to soft play, to climbing walls, to the park, to trampoline parks etc and it was a failure each time. Either the children couldn’t physically access the equipment, the building was inaccessible or they couldn’t cope with the sensory environment (too noisy or too busy). Each situation had different issues but all had the same problem – they weren’t inclusive. I was astounded that these children who need exercise more than anyone couldn’t access mainstream play or activity centres let alone specific community exercise, and the children who couldn’t access private therapy were getting even less exercise.”
You can read the full blog from Stephanie on how Gympanzees began here
The problem in numbers
77% of disabled children in the UK can’t access regular leisure facilities. {1}
92% of parents feel that their child with complex needs did not have the same opportunities to play as their non-disabled peers (SENSE – A case for Play 2016). {2}
72% of parents with a disabled child suffer mental health issues as a result of isolation. {3}
65% of families with disabled children report feeling isolated frequently or all of the time. {3}
Almost 9 out of 10 parents reported some level of anxiety. {4}
Disabled children are twice as likely to be lonely compared to their non-disabled peers (72% vs 36%). They are more likely to feel they have no one to talk to, feel left out, and to feel alone. {5}
The Health Dilemma
Disabled children are ½ as likely to be active than their non-disabled peers.
Children with disabilities are double as likely to be obese than non-disabled children.
Inactivity leads to;
- Reduced life expectancy from conditions such as stroke and diabetes
- Heart and lung disease
- Obesity
- Sleep problems
- Certain cancers
- Osteoarthritis etc
Children with ADHD and Autism often have specific exercise needs. If they are not able to access the appropriate activities, they will struggle with concentration and with coping with their daily lives.
Children with physical disabilities generally start experiencing pain and a reduction in their function and ability to be independent in their early 20’s due to the strain on their muscles and joints which could be alleviated through appropriate strengthening.
Appropriate input, as advised by a physiotherapist, can help to reduce this chronic pain and improve physical independence and input from an Occupational Therapist can provide appropriate movement to enable children with ADHD and Autism to function better. With the strain on the NHS, services are reducing and parents are often left without the support or input they need. While some families can turn to private therapists, most cannot and the opportunity for the required exercise in the community is slim, if available at all.
Young People
In 2021, Gympanzees carried out research on supporting young people with disabilities (aged 11-25).
Our research showed 61% of parents and carers struggle to find age-appropriate equipment for their young adults to use and expressed how inaccessible most local venues and activities are.
Our Solution - Project Home Appeal
Gympanzees’ mission from the start has been to find a permanent home – a play, exercise and social facility that will have everything under one roof for our families. We are delighted to announce Project Home, a campaign that will help that dream become a reality.
Our new home will be open seven days a week and provide endless possibilities for health, happiness and support and will create cherished family memories such as a 3-year-old laughing for the first time, a 6-year-old taking his first steps, siblings playing together, and parents making friendships with others who understand the disability world.
