When lifelong Sunderland fan Peter Shippey took his oldest son Nathan to his first ever match just over two years ago, he could have had no idea the difference it would make to how autistic fans all over the country access our national sport. Peter and his wife Kate have three boys all diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, a condition that affects every aspect of daily living. When Nathan developed a love of his hometown team, like all lads he was desperate to go to his first live match. Peter and Kate knew the noise as well as the hustle and bustle of attending a Premiership match would be overwhelming for Nathan but armed with ear defenders, music headphones and a bag full of items to keep him comfortable, off they went to the big match for the the very first time. Nathan loved arriving at the stadium and seeing his heroes in the flesh but by the start of the second half, he was on his way home unable to cope with the noise and atmosphere. To Peter and Kate’s surprise, Nathan did request another visit to the football only a few weeks later. They tried again on the first day of the 14/15 season, this time in an area of the stadium that has a lounge so Nathan could relax in there should the noise prove too much. Unfortunately they again encountered the same problems. That night Peter and Kate Shippey had an idea that has the potential to change how supporters with additional sensory needs access live football forever.
My work with disabled people of all ages over the last ten years has taken me to many varied and extraordinary places, memorably in 2013 when I was invited for a personalised tour of St James’ Park as part of an article I was writing alongside the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association (NUDSA) on the initiatives in place for our disabled fans. Ahead of a radio appearance on LDOK, an inclusive station where all the hosts have learning difficulties, I was invited to see the facilities at a number of football clubs including a trip behind enemy lines to Sunderland where I was able to see first-hand the excellent sensory room recently installed at the Stadium of Light.
Peter and Kate found a way round Nathan’s difficulties when watching the football, the brilliant idea was simple yet inspired! Install a sensory room with a view of the pitch. That way any supporter who wants to attend yet struggled with the noise can watch the match in peace whilst still being part of an authentic matchday experience. A visit to their very insightful website www.theshippeycampaign.com shows the original emails sent to Sunderland AFC with the excellent suggestion to make the match more accessible for supporters with additional sensory needs. Peter and Kate didn’t stop there though in their determination to make this a reality. They compiled a 3000+ petition based around local special schools and used the equality Act 2010 to help make a difference.
Fair play to Sunderland AFC who straight away recognised the merits of the idea and responded to Peter and Kate within twenty four hours. They passed the correspondence on to management and this set the ball rolling on a chain of events that could have monumentally positive repercussions not just for SAFC but for the whole sport and the way it accommodates those fans with additional needs. This season the Stadium of Light has a fully accessible sensory area that can have three supporters in attendance for every first team match. This comes complete with a bubble tube, visual displays and most importantly a superb view of the pitch which is completely soundproof allowing supporters the chance to see all the action without being overly concerned about being bothered by the type of stimulus that may make the experience at best uncomfortable or even at times impossible for those with additional sensory needs. This sensory room has on occasion played host to away fans including last October where a family of NUFC fans watched a 3-0 defeat. The feedback on the Shippey Campaign website shows that they had a fantastic experience despite the result and commend SAFC for making it possible.
When showing me round the stadium and explaining the facilities available, the staff at the stadium of Light couldn't have been more helpful and the passion and commitment towards inclusion issues from Supporter Laison Officer Chris Waters shone through from the very start. Sunderland have been communicating with other clubs (including Newcastle) about setting up sensory rooms in different stadiums across the country and their big announcement came on 18th October when it was revealed that BT and the Premier League have teamed up with The Shippey Campaign and disability sports charity The Lords Taverners to offer funding for sensory rooms across the twenty Premiership clubs.
Having spoken with Peter, I know for a fact they've been in touch with Newcastle United advising how to implement such an initiative at St James'. NUDSA previously have been full of praise for the attitude NUFC has towards helping our disabled fans enjoy the match. It'd be nice to think on this issue we can follow Sunderland AFC's lead and ensure we have a sensory room of our own installed at St James' Park as soon as possible.
On the pitch this season the Geordies have had a much more enjoyable time than their red and white counterparts whilst admittedly being in a lower division. Off it however our club should be standing shoulder to shoulder with Sunderland in helping pioneer this very important initiative.
Maybe just this once, Newcastle United should put footballing rivalry aside and 'love thy neighbour'.