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Football club opens sensory room for supporters

Sarah JonesSwindon
Sensory room at Swindon’s Nigel Eady County Ground

A sensory room has been opened at a League Two football club for fans with ADHD and autism.

The purpose-built room, which includes football-themed sensory equipment, bubble tubes, sensory lights, and calming sounds, has been created by Swindon Town FC at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

The non-pitch facing space is designed to provide relief from the noisy atmosphere of a football match for supporters who are neurodivergent.

Anthony Hall, the club's CEO, said: "It's a big achievement. We are only one of three clubs in League Two to have a sensory room so it's a big step in the right direction for us."

ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - affects the way the brain works and can cause people to act impulsively and become easily distracted.

The sensory room has been set up for supporters who "may find traditional matchday settings overwhelming", according to the club.

News imageImage of a girl with a short bob hairdo, holding a blue smiling star shaped toy. Standing next to her is a young boy who is watching. The room is glowing red. In the background can be seen a number of games boards on the walls, large round discs and headphones.
The sensory room includes bubble tubes and sensory lights, alongside Astroturf and two seats from the stadium

Boasting a number of "carefully selected" elements, the club hopes the space will not only reduce sensory overload but allow fans to enjoy the excitement of a matchday at their own pace.

"We've brought some of the outside inside - the seats from the stadium and the Astroturf," said Mr Hall.

"Our drive for inclusivity is to get everyone involved in the club with all needs - it is really important for the community club that we are."

The new space follows a year of fundraising and development involving club staff, supporters and local businesses.

News imageImage of two red fold-down stadium seats, with a red throws on the backs of each seat. In the background can be seen three tall water filled tubes with bubbles and some people playing behind them.
Swindon Town FC is one of only three clubs in League Two to have a sensory room

Lee Cahalin, chair of the Disabled Supporters Association at Swindon Town FC, said it was a "great little room".

He added: "We had a Grimsby fan who brought his young son down with additional needs and he used it and he was blown away by it. So I'm really pleased."

Sara Seager, mother of Kian, 10, Toby, 9, and Riley, 8, called the room "just incredible".

"All three of the boys have got autism and ADHD and sometimes it just gets a little bit much for them," she said.

"To be able to bring them in here just to get them away from it, it's fantastic."

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