Hull FC’s match day sensory room at the MKM Stadium has been hailed by one of the families who attended our recent home fixture against Wakefield Trinity.
The sensory room, introduced earlier this season ahead of our Community & Inclusion fixture against Wigan, allows adults with sensory processing issues who wouldn’t usually be able to watch the match, to do so!
While the club has hosted a sensory room at the stadium for a number of years, those who use the rooms are now able to watch the match too.
The sensory room is a specially designed space for those with sensory processing issues to attend a match in a calm environment, offering a full, unrestricted view of the pitch behind soundproof glass, creating a quiet, safe and controlled environment to watch the game.
Ben attended the Trinity fixture earlier this month with his family, and praised the club for introducing the sensory box.
“My little girl is autistic, and presents as highly anxious, with severe sensory challenges, particularly around noise (mostly spontaneous noises), crowds and transitions into spaces.
“The sensory box allowed us to attend a live event as a family, in a space which accommodated both my little girl and her younger brother who often adapts his needs to meet those of his sisters such as leaving early or needing to be out of spaces he can easily see from.
“I work away with the Navy, so my time is often stretched in terms of time spent with my daughter, son and wife, so being able to do this together as a family is even more significant given our current situation.”
He added: “Both of the members of staff showed kindness and consideration to all of us, and the potential of what you are doing is amazing. Inclusion is extremely important to me and my family.
“I have been a Hull fan all of my life, and the club is extremely close to my heart, so the fact that you are leading this kind of innovation in sporting events is something I am both proud and passionate about and keen to back in any way I can.”
To find out more about the Hull FC Community Foundation’s sensory sessions – click here
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