We’re delighted to announce that The Clothworkers’ Foundation has awarded Gympanzees £150,000 towards our Project Home Appeal.
This generous donation brings our total raised to £6 million, marking another important milestone as we work towards opening the UK’s first permanent, fully inclusive exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people.
The Clothworkers’ Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making charities in the UK. Based in London, the Foundation supports organisations across the country working to create a fairer, more equitable society. Their commitment to improving opportunities for people facing disadvantage makes them the perfect partner for Gympanzees.
This capital grant will help us complete the transformation of our Aust site into a world-class facility where disabled children, young people and adults aged 0 to 25 can exercise, play and make friends in an environment designed specifically for them. Currently, 77% of families with disabled children cannot access regular leisure facilities.
Gympanzees exists to change that.
Our permanent centre will offer ten individually designed spaces with something for all abilities. These include a fully accessible gym with 30 pieces of specialist equipment, soft play, trampolines, sensory rooms, a music room, a swing room, a hangout space and an outdoor playground.
Every element has been designed with input from families, therapists and disabled young people themselves. The result will be a place where children and young people can be active, have fun and build the strength and confidence that comes from regular exercise and play.
The Clothworkers’ Foundation joins a growing community of supporters who believe every child and young person deserves the chance to play, be active and make friends. Their donation comes at a crucial time as we move closer to opening the doors in Summer 2026.
“We’re incredibly grateful to The Clothworkers’ Foundation for their support. This donation brings us another step closer to opening our doors and welcoming families who have waited years for a facility like this. Every gift, large and small, helps us create a place where disabled children and young people can simply be themselves, having fun and staying active in a space designed for them.”
Stephanie Wheen, founder and CEO of Gympanzees.
This announcement is one of several exciting funding updates coming in the next few weeks. With £6 million now raised and further support on the horizon, we’re building momentum towards our final target. Every donation moves us closer to opening day and the moment when disabled children and young people, and their families, from right across the UK can come through our doors.
If you’d like to support Gympanzees and help us reach our target, you can donate or find out about other ways to get involved.
About The Clothworkers’ Foundation
The Clothworkers’ Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making charities in the UK, supporting organisations that work to improve the lives of disadvantaged people and create a fairer society. Find out more at www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk
About Gympanzees
Gympanzees is creating the UK’s first permanent, fully inclusive exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people aged 0 to 25. Opening in Summer 2026 at Aust, Bristol, the centre will offer ten individually designed spaces with specialist equipment, accessible facilities and opportunities for therapeutic play in a welcoming environment designed for disabled children, young people and their families.
Gympanzees is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number 1189375.
