Northern Ireland's first fully accessible soft play area opens its doors at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim

Award winning sensory specialists, Sensory Kids has opened Northern Ireland’s first and only fully accessible soft play at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim.

Upsizing by nearly three times the size of its previous space in Broughshane, the charitable organisation will now operate from a 6,957sq ft unit at the Lotus Property-owned scheme and will specialise in helping children with learning difficulties, developmental disabilities and sensory impairments.

Due to recent vital funding from Children in Need and the Department of Communities (DfC) Access and Inclusion Programme, Sensory Kids has been able to grow its service offering at its new location including a fully accessible soft play for children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a sensory stimulation room for younger children as well as a separate room for adults with ASD. In addition to these vitally important facilities, Sensory Kids will be running a pre-school nursery at The Junction as well, thanks to funding received from RTE’s Late Late Toy Show.

Centre director at The Junction, Chris Flynn, said: “The Junction has always been a family orientated scheme with strong links to the community and so we are delighted to now have Northern Ireland’s only fully accessible soft play onsite. It is extremely important to cater for all within our community and Sensory Kids offer a vital resource for those who need it. We are extremely proud they have chosen The Junction to run their services.”

Founder of Sensory Kids, Kathryn Davidson, explained: “Moving to The Junction is a huge step forward for us. We have been operating for over nine years but the demand for fully accessible and sensory services is only growing and we needed a much bigger space. Young people who visit us will enjoy a safe space where they can explore at their own pace where a therapist will see and understand what calms them, rouses them and works best for them.

“With thanks to the additional funding we have received from Children in Need and RTE, so many more children and families will be able to enjoy a service they shouldn’t be excluded from.”

Aiding development and providing support to families with ASD needs, Sensory Kids also offer various education programmes and therapy sessions which can be delivered both on and offsite.

Deputy mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Rosie Kinnear, added: "As Deputy Mayor, I am thrilled to attend the opening of the new sensory hub by Sensory Kids, a transformative space designed to embrace and empower individuals of all abilities. This hub represents a commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that everyone in our community feels welcomed, understood, and valued. This innovative space creates an environment where sensory experiences are not only accommodated but celebrated.”