A new ‘Sensory Gym’ has opened in Grimsby, offering specialised classes for children with additional needs.
The sessions were launched in March by qualified gymnastics coach Ellie Picket and are now held at Café Aspire and Café Delight.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, Ellie described the classes as a “safe environment” where children can “learn basic gymnastic skills, express themselves, and decompress without any judgment from anybody.”
She added: “The children can earn awards from the group, but a lot of them just come in to enjoy the space. Although the sessions are still quite new, parents have formed their own little community too.
“Evening classes are really busy, quite a few people have said it’s benefited them as well as their children. It’s really good for their children to have an outlet and not feel judged by anybody, because everyone is in a similar situation.”
Ellie said the inspiration behind the sensory gym came from a lack of support for children with additional needs in the area.
“As a qualified gymnastics coach, I noticed there wasn’t much out there specifically for these children,” she said. “I thought — why not create something just for them?”
Ellie said she decided to invest her savings in specialist equipment to create a space where children and their families can feel welcome and supported.
“I have ADHD myself but wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood, so I didn’t have access to any support growing up. That’s why I’ve made this gym open to any child who might benefit — whether they have a diagnosis or not.”
Sessions run in the evenings for children aged three and over, with daytime classes available for babies from birth.
Reporter.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2021.