Christine McGuinness launches inclusive playground

TV personality Christine McGuinness launches Butlin’s SKYPARK – a brand-new £2.5m playground – designed specifically so children of all abilities can play together, shoulder to shoulder. Autism awareness campaigner, Christine McGuinness, visited Butlin’s SKYPARK to celebrate the opening of the brand-new playground.

Christine McGuinness:

“It’s fantastic to be involved in the launch of Butlin’s SKYPARK. I know first-hand just how important play is for all children, but to have an environment where kids of all abilities can play together is really special.

“Children with additional needs such as autism can often lack confidence and need that extra support when it comes to communication. It’s really encouraging to hear that nearly 70% of UK parents are open to learning more about the additional needs some children have.”

The star understands the importance of play for all abilities due to her own experience, having been diagnosed with autism during adulthood, aged 33 and as a mum to three children, Felicity, Leo and Penelope, who have all also been diagnosed with autism. As an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, Christine is determined to raise awareness of the disorder and champion the benefits of encouraging children of all abilities to play together.

The state-of-the-art playground is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible trampoline and roundabout, sit-up swings for support and sociability, and wheelchair-friendly walkways and ramps, to ensure no child is left on the side lines.

Butlin’s SKYPARK further features four epic climbing towers with the tallest standing at 14 metres high, offering an incredible panoramic sea view. The site is also home to the UK’s longest interactive seesaw, at an impressive 24 metres long, children and adults can work together to generate enough energy to light up the area.

Christine McGuinness:

“By allowing kids to play and learn from each other, we’re helping to facilitate a better understanding for everyone. We know that taking part in regular exercise is great for all children’s cognitive development, and I’m really pleased to see Butlin’s taking the next steps in championing inclusivity by creating environments that allow children of all abilities to play together.”

To find out more about Butlin’s SKYPARK, including full information on the different zones and key features, please head to: www.butlins.com/discover-butlins/things-to-do/skypark