Gympanzees recently held several design workshops to help us shape the new permanent centre.
We consulted with the families that use Gympanzees, healthcare professionals, and other charities, and their feedback has helped us take a huge step forward in creating a one-of-a-kind centre that is truly accessible to all.
Thanks to these workshops, we were able to identify potential barriers for our visitors and create solutions around different building elements, including storage, corridor shapes, lighting, and toileting, all making the Gympanzees Centre more inclusive.
An example of this is ensuring that the corridors are wide enough to accommodate two wheelchair users, whilst also considering that some children with visual impairments may find it challenging to walk down a straight corridor next to a wall. Thanks to the workshops, our team is now working on finding a solution for all visitors.
Having welcomed over 28,000 visitors during 165 days of Pop Up events, we understand the importance of involving families, professionals, and charities in the co-production process.
Fran, Chief Executive Officer at Gympanzees, said:
The workshops have been incredibly useful. The level of feedback we’ve received has been beyond what we anticipated. The families we have spoken to, and professionals have all brought up ideas we hadn’t even thought of—whether its additional room features or innovative ways to adapt the space. It’s been eye-opening and will definitely help us make the Gympanzees centre the best it can be.
Gympanzees are fundraising to open the UK’s first fully accessible exercise, play, and social centre for disabled children and young people. We have already fundraised to secure a building and are pushing forward towards the £8 million needed to make the necessary renovations to open a purpose-built centre by June 2026.
Once open, the Gympanzees Centre will host 200,000 visits from disabled children, young people and their families every year. Our new home will be open 364 days, 7 days a week and will provide endless opportunities for health, happiness and support.
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