Swansea CitySensory rooms are becoming more common in football stadiums and offer neurodiverse fans the chance to enjoy the match in a quiet, comfortable environment.
Watford, Arsenal, Sunderland, and many other clubs across the UK have installed sensory rooms in recent years, including Swansea City.
As part of disability history month, Swansea fan, Swans Disabled Supporters’ Association secretary, and friend of Level Playing Field, Cath Dyer, has been in touch with a recent story about how the sensory room at the Swansea.com Stadium enabled her daughter to watch a match live for the first time in 2 years and 8 months.
“So proud of our Nicola yesterday,” Cath wrote. “We used the sensory room at the (Swansea City) stadium yesterday, and Nicola attended her first match since March 2020 (and back then she always struggled). Agoraphobia and anxieties are awful.
“We were at the stadium at noon for a 3pm kick-off (in very early!!!! before any crowds), although Nicola was struggling at this point, and Rob took us straight upstairs to the room. After a long while she calmed down, and due to the stress of it all, and her huge anxieties, she fell asleep on the floor.
“We woke her when Cath Thomas popped in to see her. During the build-up to the match, Nicola loved ‘being there’ and watching everything – from the warm-ups to kick-off.
“We lined up three seats together inside the room, and she was able to see her first live match for 2 years 8 months. Being in a quiet environment, with the doors shut, nobody else around, and the chance to see the game.
“What an achievement for Nicola. We didn’t leave until 6.15pm when it was quieter outside. It was lovely to see Eirian Wyn – who was handing out the team sheets on level 3 – and he did some magic with her.
“Thanks to everyone there for all your help and support. The club worked so hard with us to make this happen.”