Disabled children are often made to feel excluded from play schemes and recreation centres, where facilities are inaccessible and staff have little experience of disability.

Thomley Activity Centre was founded in 2002 by mums of children with autism. These parents wanted somewhere to play, where staff and visitors would understand and support the behaviour of children and young people with complex needs.

The charity now operates a fully accessible recreation and education facility, supporting children and teenagers with all types of disability. Every year, thousands of families visit the charity’s 7-acre site near Thame, to spend a day in a safe and fully inclusive environment where disabled children and young people can play and learn alongside their non-disabled friends and siblings.

“There are very few places we can go as a family, where we can relax and not worry that our son will be judged, comments made or someone will stare because he’s different. Thomley Activity Centre has become a very important part of our lives and on occasions the only thing that has kept me sane,” commented one mother of young lad with Down’s Syndrome.

This summer marks the charity’s tenth anniversary and the launch of a special campaign to raise additional funds towards the highly valued services and much-needed improvements to their site. Celebrations began with a Junior Bake Off Competition last week, where children of all ages and abilities made ten birthday cakes in the charity’s adapted kitchen facilities. Friends and families had the pleasure of judging each offering and the winning cake was awarded the prestigious Thomley Junior Bake Off Award. Celebrations will continue throughout the charity’s tenth year, with a fancy-dress Mad Hatter’s Tea Party this September and a music festival focused for disabled children and young people next summer.

Thomley Activity Centre is open 10am–3.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, all year round. They welcome disabled and non-disabled children (0-19) with families, inclusive schools and play schemes.

Visit www.thomleyactivitycentre.org or call 01844 338380 to find out how you can support the charity, or to arrange a play date.