The Ursula Keyes Trust was delighted to support an important project at The Wingate Centre, helping to improve safety and accessibility within the charity’s specialist gymnasium facilities.
The Wingate Centre provides opportunities for children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities to take part in sport, exercise, and therapeutic activities in a safe and supportive environment. At the heart of the centre is its impressive 600 square metre gymnasium, which is used daily for a wide range of physical activities and one-to-one support sessions.
The grant from the Ursula Keyes Trust contributed towards the replacement of large Gymnova crash mats used throughout the gym. These mats are among the most heavily used pieces of equipment within the facility and play a vital role in ensuring the safety and confidence of the children and young people who use the space. Over time, the existing mats had begun to wear and peel, making replacement essential.
The gym itself contains a wide variety of specialist equipment, including gymnastics apparatus, a sprung floor, trampolines, a sunken trampoline, and specially adapted bikes used for assisted cycling sessions. The space is also used for Rebound Therapy, a therapeutic activity that uses trampolines to improve balance, coordination, movement, and confidence for people with complex disabilities and additional needs.
High-quality crash mats are essential in allowing these activities to take place safely. They provide stability, cushioning, and protection, helping users feel secure and confident as they take part in physical exercise and therapy. For many of the children and young people attending sessions, this reassurance is incredibly important, enabling them to challenge themselves, build physical strength, improve coordination, and develop confidence without fear of injury.
By supporting the replacement of the crash mats, the Ursula Keyes Trust has helped ensure that the Wingate Centre can continue to provide safe, inclusive, and life-enhancing opportunities for the many families and individuals who rely on its services each week.