From southamptonfc.com (8.9.17)
Southampton Football Club, in partnership with Virgin Media, is extremely proud to announce the opening of a new Sensory Room at St Mary’s Stadium.
Saints’ Main Club Sponsor has teamed up with the club to create the facility, which will be open from tomorrow’s home game, against Watford. The Sensory Room is one of the first in the Premier League and provides a calming environment for fans of all ages with sensory differences, or who may find the atmosphere of a football stadium challenging. The club has worked with Autism Hampshire to create the space, which it is hoped will enhance the match day experience for existing fans, while also encouraging new supporters and families, who would not previously have considered attending a live game, to visit. For some time, Southampton’s Supporter Relations Team has worked with families of children with autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and other sensory conditions to make their visits as successful and enjoyable as possible, and the new Sensory Room will provide a calming environment for those fans to experience the club’s matches. Southampton Football Club’s Managing Director, Toby Steele, said: “This is a very important step for us, and one that we are very proud to have taken in partnership with Virgin Media. “We are committed to making our games, and St Mary’ Stadium, as accessible and enjoyable as possible for all of our supporters. Our new Sensory Room will provide us with a fantastic space for fans who might otherwise have felt unable to attend. “We look forward to welcoming supporters into the Sensory Room, and we will continue to work with them, their families and Autism Hampshire to develop it throughout the season, in order to ensure it fully meets the needs of everyone who wishes to use it.” Brigitte Trafford of Virgin Media said: “We are proud to have funded the Sensory Room at St Mary’s, ensuring better accessibility for fans that need a quiet space. “Our support of the club extends to the fan experience at St Mary’s Stadium and the Sensory Room is the next step in ensuring that all fans can enjoy home games together with families and carers.” Any fans who feel they can benefit from the Sensory Room are encouraged to contact our Supporter Relations team on 02380 711980 or supporterrelations@saintsfc.co.uk. Places in the Sensory Room will be available for all first-team fixtures, and are subject to availability. Proof of eligibility, in the form of a letter from a doctor/consultant or similar, may be required.
11.9.2017