New sensory room unveiled at Emirates Stadium to help supporters enjoy match day

The Sensory Room at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (pic Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal Football Club) Subject to BAPLA Terms & Conditions & Premier League's Licence Agreement. Copies available from Arsenal FC (+4420 7704 4017)

Arsenal have launched a new sensory room ahead of their Premier League match against top-flight new boys Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

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The Sensory Room at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (pic Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal Football Club) The Sensory Room at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (pic Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal Football Club)

The space, which contains a range of sensory tools and games, will give fans with profound special needs and their families and carers the opportunity to go to matches live at Emirates Stadium – in some cases for the first time.

This was the case for Reggie, a seven-year-old from Camden, who was able to attend his first-ever Arsenal game with his mum and lifelong supporter Carly as the Gunners beat West Brom on Monday, thanks to the new facility.

The new sensory room is credit to the hard work of the Shippey Campaign, which was founded by the parents of three children with Autism.

Peter Shippey, who attended the opening of Arsenal’s sensory room, said: “It’s fantastic that Arsenal have created a sensory room. This room will allow autistic supporters and their families to enjoy football, maybe for the first time in their lives.

“This is the best facility that has been introduced and we are so pleased that a club like Arsenal is showing that they care for their supporters.”

Arsenal has a long history of providing services for disabled supporters dating back to the early 1960s when the club first introduced a commentary service for visually impaired supporters – a service which continues to this day.

The Gunners also provide an audio version of every home matchday programme for visually impaired supporters and the club were the first Premier League club to install a Guide Dog Toilet facility.

Other facilities and services which have been introduced include a Disabled Supporters Match Day Lounge, where disabled supporters can meet and enjoy a hot drink before games.