Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses the Adventure Playground?

We welcome visits from anybody with a special need, from babies to adults.  Visit with family and friends or as individuals for respite care, with groups from schools, playschemes, day centres, and care homes.  There is no age limit but refer to our age specific section on the left-hand menu if over 16 years old.

What constitutes a special need?

We consider a special need to be anything which precludes or inhibits you from meaningful use of mainstream play provision.  This may be due to behavioural difficulties, sensory impairment, physical or learning difficulties, or any other disability which means you can't use the play equipment elsewhere or find it difficult to join in with children without special needs.

Do we have to come as part of a group?

No, you can come as a family or with a carer.

Do we have to be referred?

You do not need to be formally referred - just call us.

Can brothers and sisters come as well?

We welcome siblings of children with special needs when you come as a family. 

Can I bring friends with children without a special need?

Because we are limited on space we are not able to allow friends of the family to come along except on Saturdays, which are our Playdays for All.

Do we need to book? 

ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL and it is always wise to book as far ahead as you can.  Except during school holidays and half terms, when we get fully booked very early on, a couple of days in advance should be fine.  You can also 'phone on the day to see if we have any spaces, but this does mean we may not always be able to accommodate you.

How much does it cost? 

We do not charge for using the Playground, however we do ask for a small contribution towards our costs of £11.00 per accompanied child, per single session. For a double session (all day) we suggesta contribution opf £16.50. This goes a huge way in helping to keep our charity going.

What if I can't afford to make a donation?

If you feel that you are unable to donate we would be pleased to accept any contribution you feel able to make.  We would never stop people from using our Playground on financial grounds.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we are able to accept both credit and debit cards. But NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS please

How long does a session last? 

A session can last as long as you want it to within our opening times.  You can stay for half an hour or bring a packed lunch and spend the day with us.

Is the Playground open all year round?

We are open all year round, closing only for essential maintenance periods, normally a couple of times a year, in January and September.  Dates of these closures are posted on the Opening Times page.

What happens if I can't attend a session?  Do I need to cancel?

As we limit the number of visitors we have here at any one time our spaces are in high demand.  Obviously, we hate to have to turn a people away, so then finding that someone doesn't turn up is very frustrating and rather unfair therefore we ask that you cancel as soon as you know that you can't come, so we can offer the space to someone else.

Do I have to stay with my child? 

Yes. Visitors must be accompanied by a parent or carer.  We do, however, offer a limited respite service and you can find out more about this by looking at the 'Respite Breaks' page on the left-hand menu of this webpage or by talking to a member of the Play staff at our Playground.

How many children do you have at the Playground at any time?

We set a limit of between 40 and 60 children on the Playground, depending on their needs, the weather and the type of activities which we are running.

How safe is the site? 

Our Playground is very safe.  The entire site is fenced in and the gate is always locked , with Play staff managing who has access to the Playground. The equipment and site are checked daily and we take Health & Safety very seriously. Adventure play is a potentially risky business:  we recognise that there will always be inherent risks, but we ask that our visitors are accompanied, and we will help you and your children manage these risks and enjoy your visit. 

Do we need to bring special clothing?

There is a lot to do outside as well as in, so, on colder days, you will need to bring outdoor clothing to suit the weather.  During the summer months, we often have our splash pool and water cannon in action, so swimming costumes and towels are handy, and don't forget your sun protection!

My child is on medication, can we bring that to the Playground?

We do understand that for many children their medication is vital and you can, of course, bring it with you.  To keep it safe from our other visitors we ask that it be handed in at reception on arrival, for safe keeping, you may ask for it at any time.  If you really need to keep it with you, it must be secured in a belt bag and kept with you at all times. Please let us know that this is the case.

What happens if my child has an accident whilst visiting the Playground?

All the Playstaff have completed First Aid training, however, they are not insured to do it.  They are very happy to undertake any basic first aid, but only with your permission.  In the case of anything more serious, an ambulance will be called immediately.

Do you provide food/refreshments? 

No, we do not provide food or refreshments however we do have a tea and coffee machine (change is necessary) in Jock's cabin, and drinking water is available.  We have eating areas both inside and out so bring a packed lunch and any soft drinks that you wish to have whilst you are with us. (We have lockers for you to store your things in.)

Do you have a shop? 

No.

Do you allow pets? 

Registered Assistance Dogs only. Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring one with you. 

Do you allow children to bring their own toys/play equipment? 

We do not recommend that you bring toys onto the Playground:  we have plenty of toys and equipment to play with! If your child does have a particular favourite, please ring to check if we have it and/or it might be possible for them to bring it with them.  We cannot take responsibility for any toys you bring with you.

Can we book the Playground for a Birthday Party? 

We can accommodate parties for children and adults with special needs, and all children under 5 years old.  Please ring for details.