I can honestly say that my daughter had the best summer holidays ever in 2018 because of the Gympanzees Pop Up in our area. After the first session, it became clear that this was something special which both my daughters could enjoy together and I booked tickets to take them to as many sessions as possible!
My eldest daughter is 15 years old and severely disabled with Rett syndrome. She has a wheelchair and needs to be hoisted for all transfers. At Gympanzees’s she was out of her chair and lying on the trampoline within minutes of arriving! All the volunteers were so welcoming and not phased at all with her disability and were keen to introduce her to as many new experiences as possible.
From the trampoline, she was then spoilt for choice with a number of different themed rooms with lots of stimulating things to do. Her favourite was the sensory room with the music and lights and the massage mat for a relax after all that bouncing! She has explored the instruments in the music room, swung in a hammock, watched colourful light shows and had a physio work out on the peanut ball in the gym!
My other daughter, aged 8 (who does not have any special needs) really enjoyed coming with us to the pop up too. It is unusual to find something that they can both do together and where they can both have fun.
The cafe was a nice treat afterwards too.
We were so lucky to have this facility in our local area for the whole of the summer holidays and we definitely missed it once it had gone.
Roll on the next one !
Sue Price
Direct email – February 2019
Amazing environment for my son, who has ASD. Usually when we go to places like soft play he becomes so heightened that it ends in tears and meltdowns. Today he played for the entire session and came out more chilled than when we arrived – this has never happened before. Even better he had stayed much more relaxed than usual, played quietly while I made the tea and then cleared his plate! There was an a wide range of equipment, toys and areas, all of which were a hit. Thanks so much Gympanzees, he can’t wait to come back x
Irene Jardine
Facebook – August 2019
What a brilliant afternoon. Our 6 year old boy has severe cerebral palsy, and there was so much for him to be able to enjoy; his 2 little brothers loved it too. The staff were really friendly and helpful. We’ll definitely be back! Thank you!!
Claire Lawson
Facebook – August 2019
The staff were phenomenal and so inclusive of everyone not just my ASD child ! We had a great time and rebooked as soon as we got home ! Thankyou
Stephanie O’Neill
Facebook – August 2019
Jaiden who is 6 and I (mummy) visited our 1st session today at Gympanzees, it’s was absolutely brilliant and Jaiden loved it, his favourite rooms where soft play and outdoor play, but all the rooms were great. It was so lovely to visit here it was very relaxed for both of us and everyone was very understanding of all the children’s needs, we can’t wait to visit next week with Jaiden’s brother Max who is 4 so they can enjoy playing together here. I would fully recommend here as there is nowhere else like it!
Nicola Boyle
Facebook – July 2018
Brilliant session! Both my my children were able to play. And play with each other. Staff are great. Positive! And everything is possible! Xx
Charlotte Deegan
Facebook – August 2018
Today my 6yr old son and I attended the first Pop up Gympanzee Activity Centre session.
In my mind I knew what to expect, I’d watched all the videos and followed all the updates but I still wasn’t prepared……
- for the amazing feeling I came away with,
- the actual amount of fun my son and I experienced,
- the number of smiles,
- the ability to talk to other adults whilst my son played,
- in a relaxed play environment during a ‘holiday’ period,
- the way each and every staff member went above and beyond to make me and my son feel welcomed and at ease,
- the obvious care and desire all staff showed to ensuring our every need and whim was met,
- my eagerness to return for another visit.
Holiday periods for us often mean isolation.
We can’t go where we’d like to as every other family is there making it too visually busy, too physically crowded, too loud, and in turn what should be a fun experience a stressful and overloading one….. home is our safe space and can end up feeling like a trap for us both.
Today was different. We are looking forward to return visits over the next few weeks and hope a permanent Centre (many in fact…. our travel here was 45mins) can be set up in the not too distant future and that until then our holiday periods can include further visits to a Pop-up Gympanzee Activity Centre.
Dawn Hicks
Facebook – July 2018
We absolutely loved the Pop Up gym. Genius idea wish it was available all the time! DD managed a full 50 min tutor session afterwards …. that’s the power of sensory integration – usually 15 min max!
Tara Northen
Facebook – August 2018
This was our 1st visit with our 2 boys and it was fantastic, both boys had great fun, there is so much for them to do. We will be coming back every week – I hope this can become permanent as it is very much needed as it is the only place to cater for a full range of disabilities and the people are lovely.
Rob Hole
Facebook – August 2018
Spent a morning at this Pop Up and was very good, staff/ volunteers were supportive and friendly. Lots to variety, my able bodied son liked the trampolines, skate boarding and parkour (soft play challenge he made with some other children) whilst my daughter said she enjoyed it all and said it good to have variety of things to do. I loved the gym equipment for children. Well done to everyone involved, we will be back.
Kate Avery
Facebook – August 2018
I have visited twice now with another 2 sessions booked, amazing facilities for children with additional needs in particular. Definitely recommend.
Abbie Britton
Facebook – August 2018
Brilliant. We travelled from Exeter and it was well worth it. Looking forward to our next session already. Thank you.
Michaela Wood
Facebook – August 2018
What a fantastic place! I brought a child I care for to his 3rd visit at Gympanzees today and we had such a lovely time. Can’t wait to come again. X
S. Jewitt
Facebook – August 2018