Today Gympanzees were presented with the UK’s highest business accolade for enterprise innovation for our inclusive Pop Up play and exercise facilities.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol, Peaches Golding, represented the Queen at Gympanzees Pop Up in Bristol to present the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Crystal.
Gympanzees are honoured to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2021. The Queens Awards are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. This award celebrates our success in supporting children and young people with disabilities and our exciting plans to build a permanent state-of-the-art, fully inclusive leisure facility.
We were chosen for the award because:
– Our facilities are not disability-specific but operate on a timetable where sessions are organised around different sensory and physical needs.
– Our services are fully inclusive and accessible to those with any disability and those without disability. This provides a rare opportunity for families of mixed abilities to play together.
– Our facilities are designed by professionals with extensive knowledge of disability and exercise. All equipment is designed to promote activity or sensory integration and is often otherwise inaccessible due to cost and limited state-funded provision.
– Our centre is the equivalent of a high-quality mainstream facility, including state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff.
In November, Gympanzees had the honour of attending a celebratory Royal Reception. Gympanzees COO Fran Garland attended the reception and met with HRH The Prince of Wales, alongside many other brilliant organisations and individuals.
On receiving the award Gympanzees CEO and Founder Stephanie Wheen said
“I am absolutely thrilled and honoured that we have received this incredible award. I’m so happy for all our staff, volunteers, and plethora of other supporters that their hard work and pure dedication has been recognised like this.”
Tom and Teri who are service users of Gympanzees said
“Congratulations to everyone at Gympanzees! A fantastic recognition of the innovation and energy of the team. We love going to the Pop Ups, especially the gym, trampolines, and café for the brownies! It’s great to go with family and friends. Everything is possible there!”
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.
