A decade of determination, thousands of generous supporters and one extraordinary dream. A Bristol charity is preparing to open a groundbreaking play and leisure centre that could transform life for disabled children and their families across Britain.
What started as an ambitious idea in 2016 is now becoming a reality, thanks to the incredible generosity of people across Bristol and beyond.
Gympanzees, a charity dedicated to making exercise and play accessible to disabled children and young people, has reached the remarkable milestone of £10 million raised towards its first permanent centre.
And with the doors set to open in spring 2027, the countdown is well and truly on!
From a Big Idea to a £10 Million Dream
Founded by former children's physiotherapist Stephanie Wheen, Gympanzees began with a simple belief: every child deserves somewhere they can play, exercise, make friends and have fun, whatever their abilities.
But for many families raising disabled children, finding somewhere suitable can be incredibly difficult.
According to Gympanzees, 77% of disabled children cannot access regular leisure facilities, leaving many missing out on activities that other children take for granted.
Stephanie and her team decided to do something about it.
Since 2018, the charity has been running hugely successful temporary centres; transforming specialist schools into fully inclusive exercise, play and social spaces during the Easter and summer holidays, bringing in specialist equipment and adapting the spaces for disabled children, young people and their families.
These events have now welcomed more than 30,000 visitors, providing everything from accessible trampolines and specialist gym equipment to sensory rooms and soft play.
The response has been overwhelming, proving just how desperately a permanent centre is needed.
A Playground Where Everyone Belongs
Now, a 43,000 square meter site, near the Severn Bridge, is being transformed into a spectacular permanent centre specifically for disabled children and young people aged 0–25.
And this is no ordinary leisure centre.
The £11.5 million project will feature 10 specially designed activity spaces, including accessible soft play, trampolines, climbing facilities, sensory and music rooms, specialist exercise equipment and outdoor play areas.
There will even be hoists allowing wheelchair users to enjoy activities such as soft play and climbing, alongside a celebration room, a welcoming café and a dedicated space for teenagers.
Families will be able to book sessions tailored to different needs, whether their children prefer quiet sensory experiences, energetic physical activities or opportunities to socialise.
And importantly, siblings will be able to join in the fun too.
The centre is planned to open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day, and could welcome an estimated 200,000 visits annually.
Bristol, You've Been Brilliant!
Of course, none of this would have been possible without an extraordinary community effort.
This autumn, Gympanzees launched its Go Bananas for Gympanzees fundraising campaign, encouraging schools, businesses, families and supporters to help push the project towards the finish line.
From sponsored challenges and banana costumes to donations from local businesses and individuals, people have thrown themselves into the campaign.
And what an achievement they've delivered.
Reaching £10 million is a huge milestone for a charity that started with little more than a vision and the determination to make life better for disabled children.
There's still fundraising to be done before the £11.5 million project is fully funded, but every donation brings the opening day closer.
And This Could Be Just the Beginning
The Bristol centre isn't intended to be a one-off.
Gympanzees has ambitious plans to create a network of similar facilities across Britain, bringing accessible exercise and play within reach of far more families.
The charity's long-term vision is to establish centres across the country, using the Bristol project as a blueprint for what inclusive leisure facilities can achieve.
And the benefits go far beyond having somewhere fun to spend an afternoon.
For children, it means opportunities to build strength, confidence, independence and friendships. For parents and carers, it means meeting other families, sharing experiences and enjoying activities together without the usual barriers.
For some families, that could be genuinely life-changing.
Why This Is Good for Britain
This is British community spirit at its very best.
A brilliant idea, a determined charity and thousands of ordinary people coming together to create something that could make a lasting difference.
Gympanzees is showing that accessibility doesn't have to be an afterthought. With the right ambition, expertise and support, it can be at the heart of everything.
And if the Bristol centre inspires similar facilities across the UK, the impact could reach far beyond the South West.
£10 million raised. Thousands of families set to benefit. One extraordinary community effort.
That's something worth going bananas about!
Find out more, support the appeal or follow the centre's progress at gympanzees.org.
