Pop Ups
We’ve now wrapped up our Pop Ups to fully focus on raising the £8 million needed to open our doors permanently. With this goal in sight, we’re committed to creating a life-changing space for families, open 364 days a year, 7 days a week! Find out more about our appeal!
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.
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 7-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.”
“There is a difference between your children being tolerated and celebrated, but here it is so clear they are celebrated.”
- Parent from Bristol.
Gympanzees Pop Up 10! Celebrate 10 years of Gympanzees!
When: Wednesday 5th August – Wednesday 26th August 2026
Where: Nursery School, Illminster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1BX
Join us this summer for our 10th year of Gympanzees and our 10th Pop Up to celebrate!
What is a Pop Up?
Every Gympanzees Pop Up transforms an ordinary space into a world of inclusive fun, fitness and friendship.
This summer marks our 10th Gympanzees Pop Up, and we can’t wait to welcome both familiar faces and families joining us for the very first time.
This time, our Summer Pop Up will be taking place at the wonderful Ilminster Avenue Nursery, where we’ll be transforming 10 rooms into our much-loved specialist activity spaces, each packed with adapted equipment and inclusive experiences for disabled children and young people aged 0–25 and their families.
Designed with accessibility at the heart of every session, families will be able to explore sensory spaces, soft play, specialist exercise equipment, music, games, swings, trampolines and so much more, all adapted so everyone can join in.
Over the years, Gympanzees Pop Ups have become a place where disabled children and young people can move, play and socialise without barriers getting in the way. For many families, it’s one of the only places where siblings can play together, parents and carers can relax without judgement, and everyone can simply enjoy being themselves.
If you’ve visited a Gympanzees Pop Up before, you may notice some changes since our last Pop Up two years ago. Some rooms, layouts and equipment may look a little different than before as we continue to evolve and improve the experience for families, so we’d encourage both returning and new visitors to check our latest room and equipment information before attending.
Whether it’s making a new friend, trying something completely new, building confidence, or simply enjoying a day out together as a family, Gympanzees Pop Ups create unforgettable moments and life-changing experiences for everyone involved.
Need a refresher? Here's how to book your session on Vagaro
Illminster School Map
Sessions Timetable
