Dimensions and Belong by GAME announce autism friendly partnership

This World Autism Awareness Week, Dimensions and Belong by GAME are proud to announce a trial of autism friendly Belong Arenas.

Belong Arenas are a separate area of GAME stores where guests can hire out “stations” and play a range of video games on some of the latest equipment.

York, Manchester Trafford, Bristol and Cardiff Belong Arenas are taking extra steps to be an inclusive environment – all the time – for guests who have autism and other sensory sensitivities.

Dimensions, the national learning disability and autism support provider which pioneered autism friendly in cinemas and libraries nationwide, has worked closely with Belong to produce autism awareness training for staff, who will receive ongoing support and guidance.

Dimensions developed the autism awareness training and supporting materials in direct consultation with people with autism and learning disabilities.

A range of adjustments were identified to make the arena as inclusive as possible, for guests with a range of sensory sensitivities.

Their approach is flexible and designed to tailor to the individual needs of guests. Key adjustments include:

• The lights turned down
• Music turned down and noise kept minimal
• Freedom to sit where you choose and move on request
• Clear signs to show it’s an autism friendly environment and other guests to be aware of this
• Guidance around potentially busy times
• Event specific adjustments
• Social stories and further support available for guests.

The Belong Arenas have high-end equipment and seating – guests pay for the time they spend there and also have opportunities to join in with special events and tournaments.

If the trial at York, Manchester Trafford, Bristol and Cardiff is successful, Belong will consider rolling it out to the 15 remaining Arenas across the country.

Nick Barratt, Head of Behaviour Support at Dimensions, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Belong, and see this initiative as an exciting next step in our mission to increase the number of autism friendly environments across the country. We’re so proud of our autism friendly cinema screenings and libraries, and we’re thrilled to welcome this new partnership.

“Autism friendly environments help people with autism and other sensory sensitivities feel welcome, and gives them the opportunity to try new things and be part of their communities.

“We hope that new and experienced gamers can make the most of this opportunity, and that it will serve to increase demand for more inclusive environments nationally. We’re asking everyone to help us spread the word and help us make society more inclusive.”

Liam Redman, Arena Manager of Belong in York, said: “The gaming community should include everyone no matter who they are. Making our arena autism friendly means that even more people can come and enjoy all the awesome things we do at Belong, while feeling comfortable.

“Having helped and worked with someone with autism at GAME and seeing just how much he thrived and enjoyed doing his work experience with us makes me very excited to make our arena autism friendly.”

Lauren, 17, is a keen gamer, has autism and helped produce the training. She said: “I was simply amazed by how much both Dimensions and Belong were willing to go to make the environment a better and a more pleasant experience for those who have autism.

“This is great considering that games are very popular with people who have autism. It’s actually one of my favourite stores so I was happy to hear that they are trying to be ‘autism friendly’. When talking with Dimensions I found them to be very professional and extremely understanding. They really listened to me.”

Visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismbelongarenas to find out more.

Contact our press office

For more information or interviews please contact Sarah Clarke, Autism Friendly Project Manager at Dimensions: (e) sarah.clarke@dimensions-uk.org (t) 0300 303 9062

• Dimensions is a leading specialist not-for-profit provider of support for people with autism and/ or learning disabilities. It supports about 3,000 people in England and Wales. For more information go to www.dimensions-uk.org

Chris, 31, is a keen gamer. He said: “I like playing video games so much because you can play in any era and in settings, such as in outer space, and as characters such as your favourite football player.

“Games can be extremely positive for people with autism as they can be very relaxing and they can calm a person down by playing as their favourite team on FIFA. They can also be very therapeutic as you can be a music conductor on Wii Music and play and a game called Minecraft which has virtual blocks and is also educational. “