A Sensory Room is now open at The County Ground, in partnership with The Whistle Foundation, and is available to book for matchdays and events.
The room, located in the Pavilion, will provide a safe space for supporters with sensory issues and is now available to be pre-booked. The room will open during the opening Rothesay County Championship fixture against Gloucestershire, and will be available to book from Sunday 6 April.
Derbyshire have consulted with charities, as well as other industry-leading sports clubs, when designing and installing the Sensory Room, with several fibre-optic light fittings, 3D wall features, soft seating and more included.
Sensory Bags will also be available to rent when attending a match or event at The County Ground, for those who require them when out and about within the venue. More information can be found within the Sensory Room policy.
To book the Sensory Room, you must have already purchased a match or event ticket. The facility will be available to those who have not pre-booked, subject to pre-bookings, capacity and the Sensory Room Policy.
The room was opened at lunch on Day Three of Derbyshire’s Rothesay County Championship fixture against Gloucestershire, with a small ceremony attended by representatives from Derbyshire County Cricket Club, The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) and their Super 1s initiative, The Whistle Foundation and Alex Thomson, Derbyshire first-team player and DCF’s Disability Programme Ambassador.
There will be a capacity of four children, accompanied by a carer, at any time, to ensure the room remains a calm and enjoyable space for those who need it. While there is no time limit on bookings, time slots may be apportioned for games with more bookings, to ensure all bookings can be facilitated.
This addition is part of Derbyshire’s ongoing commitment to making The County Ground the most accessible venue in English cricket, which has seen the installation of wheelchair viewing bays, improved accessible toilets and a multi-faith room in recent years.
Amy Brett, Derbyshire Customer/Accessibility Liaison, said: “The County Ground is a venue for all and with our Sensory Room, we want to create a calming and safe space, which will aid emotional and sensory regulation, building confidence in social settings and , with the support of The Whistle Foundation, raise awareness and support.
“This is our latest development, as we aim to make The County Ground one of the most accessible and inclusive venues in the country. We want to break down inclusion barriers, to ensure everyone feels welcome when attending matches or events.”
Greg Rollason, Co-Founder of The Whistle Foundation, added: “We are delighted to partner with Derbyshire County Cricket Club to bring our first sensory room to life. We are so pleased with the finished product and hope that children and young people from both home and away clubs will be able to enjoy access to sport in the ground, irrespective of their needs or struggles.
“As a charity we want to help all professional sports clubs have access to sensory rooms or sensory bags to allow this access for children or young people, and if you would like an informal discussion about this project, or one at your club, please contact us on [email protected] or on our social media channels”
Bella Hopcraft, Disability Development Officer with the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, said: “The room is a fabulous addition to The County Ground, allowing everyone to enjoy cricket in a way that is comfortable to them. It’s a move towards making cricket a game for everyone, and I know it will be put to great use across the summer.
“Cricket is a sport where so many different people come together, and there is a place for everyone to enjoy the game and be supported. I’m so proud to work with an organisation that has the community in the heart of everything they do.”
Super 1s
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation are running Super 1s Lords Taverners hubs,aimed at young people with a disability aged 11-25, and focus on personal development alongside the fun of cricket.
For more information, click the button below.
Super 1s sessions:
Wednesdays- Willows sports centre 16:30- 17:30
Thursdays- West Park leisure centre 16:45- 17:45
Fridays – Alfreton leisure centre 16:00-17:00
