Two Swansea mums are upset over a soft play centre’s strict sock policy, leaving their children unable to join in the fun. Nicole Owen’s son, Bleu, who has autism and sensory issues, was turned away for not wearing socks, despite visiting regularly for years without a problem. When Nicole tried to put socks on him, he kept removing them due to his discomfort. Meanwhile, Tammy McDaid faced a similar situation with her son Tate, who’s also sensitive to wearing socks due to childhood dementia.
Both mums are calling out the centre for lacking inclusivity and understanding. “A little compassion goes a long way,” says Nicole, who suggested that a waiver option could provide more flexibility for kids with special needs. The centre stated that their sock policy, in place since 1997, is there for safety reasons and must be enforced equally for everyone.
This has sparked a wider conversation about inclusivity in children’s venues. Nicole and Tammy dream of play areas that cater to kids with additional needs. Let’s hope more places will consider being a bit more inclusive, so all kids can climb, jump, and play without barriers! 🧦💔 #InclusivePlay #Swansea #SoftPlayStruggles