Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021, day 13: Gympanzees
Gympanzees is a charity with an ambition to build a dedicated leisure centre for disabled children and young people.
The organisation, which currently runs pop-up sessions in Bristol, has launched an appeal to raise the £2.2m needed to secure a suitable building and fill it with specialist rooms and inclusive sensory and exercise equipment.
Currently, 77 per cent of disabled children in the UK can’t access regular leisure facilities and 65 per cent of families with disabled children report feeling isolated frequently or all the time, reports Gympanzees.
is needed now More than ever
The charity is working to change that through running inclusive pop-up sessions and the plans to open a permanent facility in Bristol in 2023. The aim is to support disabled children and their families access space where they can have fun, improve their fitness and form friendships.
Speaking about the impact of Gympanzees, Shellbey, whose son attends the sessions, said: “If Gympanzees opened all year round, we would be there almost every day. My son struggles in school, an outlet like this would be life-changing. We could meet up with other families and friends who have children with a range of different disabilities and know there was something for everyone.”
The dedicated play, social and exercise complex will cater for the 66,000 disabled children and young people living within an hour of Bristol and help take families out of isolation.
Gympanzees plans to build a dedicated leisure centre for disabled children and young people
“Gympanzees sessions and the innovative equipment used by the charity are all founded upon physiotherapy and occupational therapy principles,” explains marketing manager Kim Martin.
“They provide a fun, welcoming environment for families where the children can get the physical benefits of exercise and the sensory stimulation they need whilst parents meet and chat with others who understand their world.”
Find out more and support the Crowdfunder via: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/gympanzeeschristmas
The dedicated play, social and exercise complex will cater for the 66,000 disabled children and young people
All photos courtesy of Gympanzees
Read more: £2.2m campaign to tackle isolation faced by disabled children
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
