Mums on a Mission have had a say as the borough council draws up plans for a new Coate Water children’s play park.

Before the proposals were put out to public consultation the disability campaign group, which recently brought a mobile Changing Space facility to Lydiard Park, was asked for suggestions on how to make the new facility accessible and inclusive.

One of the group’s founders, Anna Bird, said: “We’re really excited that Swindon’s first ever flagship inclusive play park is moving another step closer.”

“We started lobbying the council for this around a year ago now, when the council announced that Coate Water was in line for a big investment for a new play area.

"Straight away we said this new play park needed to be inclusive. The previous park at Coate Water was 40 years old and unfortunately had nothing inclusive in whatsoever.

"Swindon Borough Council were extremely receptive and asked for our input, so in October 2020 we submitted an information pack to the council that was packed with detailed suggestions and pictures of the kind of things we like.”

She said: “There are definitely lots of things pictured on the consultation document which we suggested last year, so that’s fantastic that there is still clearly a very strong emphasis on inclusion.”

The Mums on a Mission members are all Swindon mothers who have children living with disabilities and know from first-hand experience what kinds of play park equipment may be needed to make it fully inclusive for everyone.

“When it comes to inclusive play, the small details really count. In the past we’ve come across swings with high backs, or nest swings, which are too high off the ground to lift our children into. Nest swings that are too small for our children to lie down in. So-called inclusive roundabouts that we can’t push our children onto in their wheelchairs because they aren’t flush to the ground. And sensory items that you’re meant to spin, that are too heavy for our children to turn.

“That’s why it’s so important that groups like us are consulted when local authorities anywhere are planning new play parks, because it’s essential to get these details right first time.”

Anna hopes that Swindon Borough Council will continue to consult them on the new play park going forward.

“Mums on a Mission will continue to work with Swindon Borough Council to make sure this play park is as accessible and inclusive as possible.”