M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park has rallied to support the ASN community following a plea to help families looking for more options for entertaining days out.
Social media campaigner Natalie Chateau, aka the ASN Mummy, approached Scotland’s Theme Park to see if there was anything that could be done to make events more accessible for families with ASN needs.
The company responded by increasing the number of seasonal activities dedicated to ASN families and creating a new website resource page along with marketing materials.
A BSL interpreter has also been appointed to attend select Christmas Believe storytelling sessions.
The company has always offered carers a free pass for the rides, on presentation of suitable ID, when accompanying a paying person requiring ASN support, and vowed to create greater awareness around this service.
Jensen Taylor Connelly, M&D’s director, said: “Finding suitable activities for families with ASN support needs is a struggle and Natalie was very helpful in explaining to us what we could do to help further.
“It’s a work in progress but hopefully the additions we have made are a step in the right direction and we’re already looking at other events we can create.”
Natalie Chateau added: “I would just like to personally thank M&D’s for actually listening to our community.
“They have taken on board everything we (many of the ASN community) had to say and I’m excited about the ASN events going forward.
“I get messages daily, on my socials from ASN families struggling to find things to do with their children or the adults they care for (especially at the weekend or school breaks).
“And although some businesses do offer 9am slots on a Saturday/ Sunday, this time, for a lot of our families doesn’t suit, especially when you have to take into consideration travel time, meltdowns, if they’ve slept well, routine changes, transitions and so on.
“It’s really hard trying to accommodate every need, but with businesses like M&D’s listening and trying to change and adapt it’s a big step forward for our community.
“If you don’t live or work with children and adults with additional support needs it’s hard for you to understand. So even making the smallest of changes, can open up more opportunities for families like mine”.
Details of all ASN sessions at M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park can be found at https://scotlandsthemepark.com/asn-news/
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