Summer Pop Up 2024!
Proving Our Concept
We have been running Pop Up’s since 2018 to prove our concept and test our design for the permanent Gympanzees centre.
The last Pop Up ran during Summer 2024, as our team now need to focus all our efforts on raising the £8m needed to open our doors permanently in June 2026.
The Pop Ups were smaller versions our plans for the main centre, and included a gym, soft playroom, music room, two sensory rooms, a trampoline room, indoor playground (sensory integration room), outdoor playground and a sociable café.
Over 9 Pop Ups we welcomed over 28,000 visitors over 165 days, with some families making 6-hour round trips and even booking hotels so they could attend their 1.5 hour session.
Here are some Pop Up highlights:
- A 5-year-old who slept through the night for the first time after her session
- Two 3-year-old boys who had their first-ever laugh
- A 6-year-old who took off her coat and scarf in public for the first time
- An 8-year-old who ate up in public for the first time
- A 16-year-old who refused any form of sport at home and school but rowed a kilometre on the rowing machine
- A 14-year-old who built the confidence at our gym and now goes to a mainstream gym with a personal trainer
- A 10-year-old who has never exercised who asked to replace his dining room table for a static bike as he enjoyed it so much at the Pop Up
- A 9-year-old who held his head up on his own for 10 minutes for the first time
- 57 children and young people who were able to walk in our specialist equipment for the first time
“Gympanzees is such a great place for us to bring our group because there is something for everyone, children do not feel like the odd ones out here. We've brought 14 children along today and we've also come multiple times previously. It’s an hour and 45 minutes for us to come but it's so worth it. Today we had a 15-year-old keep their ear defenders off for most of the day which is huge for him and a little girl who was able to keep focus for over 10 minutes.”
Different Session Types
We run four different sessions which meet the needs of children and young people with all different abilities and disabilities – ensuring we are truly inclusive:
Jungle sessions: For any child or young person with any SEN/disability and their siblings and friends.
Gorilla Sessions: Suitable for loud, physical individuals who prefer their own space. Individuals who can find the environment and other people around them a challenge.
Butterfly sessions: For children with complex medical needs and non-mobile children and young people, those who will spend a lot of time on the floor and may need hoisting. This is not a suitable session for those who attend a Gorilla session.
Leopard sessions: For neurodiverse children, young people, and anyone with sensory needs. These are busier than a Gorilla session but less busy than a Jungle session.
