New disabled-friendly play facility in Littlehampton

Inspire Leisure has opened the doors to its interactive playroom at Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre, drawing praise from parents and children alike.

On offer are a variety of touch-screen games and interactive floors that can be used by children, and adults, of all ages.

Crucially, the room provides an opportunity for children with special needs and disabilities to have some much-needed fun.

Mother Lindsey Butterfield, 38, from Worthing, has been taking her 11-year-old son, Gordon, to the room regularly since it opened over the Easter holidays.

She said: “This room is a crucial lifeline for disabled children and their parents. Some of us travel for miles to use it.

“It really is that vital because there’s just nothing like it anywhere else around here.

“What’s really great about it is my son, who is autistic, is able to get out of the house and play.

“The children are all doing physical exercise, without really knowing.

“It’s tough sometimes, when you have a child with a disability. You don’t get the same level of social interaction other children get.

“There’s never that knock on the door asking for them to come out and play. It’s just fantastic to be able to have this room for them to escape to.”

The room cost £55,000 to install and is one of only three of its kind in the country.

There are 11 games available for children to enjoy on each screen.

Centre manager Andrew Smith said: “The room was provided by the Aiming High for Disabled Children scheme.

“It allows both the children and their carers some respite.

“It can help to provide sensory stimulation for the children. For example, when a child presses one of the pads on the floor or wall, it might light up or make a certain sound.

“Children can roll on the floor and let themselves really go.”

The next special needs sessions are on Tuesday, May 31, from 2-4pm, and Thursday, June 2, from 10am-noon. Entrance is £3 per child, with siblings welcome. For more information call 01903 890305.