Extra dates added for High Rise autism and SEN friendly sessions

The centre will go quiet for autism friendly Clip ‘n Climb and soft play sessions at the following times:

• Sunday 5^th May
• Sunday 19^th May
• Sunday 2^nd June
• Sunday 16^th June
• Sunday 30^th June
• Sunday 7^th July
• Sunday 21^st July
• Sunday 4^th August
• Sunday 18^th August
• Sunday 25^th August
• Sunday 8^th September

Additional autism sessions will be available during summer on Thursdays at 10am on the following dates (in addition to Sunday sessions)

• Thursday 4th July
• Thursday 18th July
• Thursday 1st August
• Thursday 15th August

During these autism friendly sessions there will be no music playing in the centre, and numbers will be limited, to ensure a more comfortable environment for guests and their families. We have ear defenders which will be available at reception (subject to availability), but guests are also welcome to bring their own.

During these autism tailored sessions, soft play is open to children up to age 12.

Clip ‘n Climb is for those aged 4 plus, including autistic adults, and parents/carers can also participate in the activity if they wish, or can join them in the climbing arena to provide support without climbing themselves. Just speak to a member of staff to arrange this.

The pre-climbing safety briefing has been adapted to be suitable for autistic guests and staff have had specialist training from Autism NI on how they can best support guests using the centre as part of our work in achieving the prestigious Autism Impact Award. There is a Changing Places toilet facility available within High Rise.

Guests who attended these autism sessions at High Rise Lisburn previously told us how valuable they were:

“Brilliant quiet ASD session and staff were absolutely brilliant with the kids, will be back for next month’s ASD session.”

“This was our tenth visit to High Rise. We value the autism sessions greatly as they provide a safe space for us as a family. As an autistic adult I struggle with anxiety, it’s been very very bad this year and yet high rise is somewhere I know we can go each month that will be stress free. The staff never fail to impress us with their kindness and consideration. They treat all of our children as individuals and do so with everyone else in the sessions also. Our 5 year old will not attend ANY other settings at all as they cause him so much distress. Yet he marches into high rise and talks to the staff and tells them jokes!”

Guests are advised to pre-book the autism tailored sessions at High Rise Lisburn – link below.