ASC service user, Danny, had a fantastic day out watching his beloved Celtic thanks to the club’s sensory room.

Sponsored by Balhousie Care Group and operated by Celtic FC Foundation, the room in the Lisbon Lions Stand at Celtic Park provides a safe space for people who would not otherwise be able to enjoy attending football matches.

Football matches in their regular form, with large crowds and loud, often sudden noises, can be uncomfortable experiences for fans who have diagnosed learning disabilities or suffer stress and distress.

However, the calming environment of the sensory room means they are able to attend in a setting which suits them. As well as being soundproofed, it is also filled with items to help users feel relaxed and enjoy their matchday experience.

A lifelong Hoops fan, Danny attended his team’s game against Heart of Midlothian FC with ASC Support Workers David and James, watching the Celts run out 3-1 winners.

David said: “It was fantastic for Danny to be able to experience the Celtic Park sensory room for the first time. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience of attending the match.

“The room is an incredibly important facility as it creates a space for those who would not normally be able to enjoy attending matches to follow their team.

“It is filled with items to help service users, like Danny enjoy the match in an environment tailored to them, supporting them to achieve their full potential and express their individuality.”

Part of Balhousie Care Group, ASC is a specialist service for adults with a diagnosed learning disability, or who suffer stress and distress.

Leanne Fairburn, Service Manager at ASC, said: “We strive to help our service users reach their full potential each and every day, and it means everything to us that Danny had such a wonderful time at the Celtic Park Sensory Room.

“It is so important to our service users to be able to enjoy usual activities such as attending football matches, in an atmosphere which supports their needs. The sensory room provides the quiet place in the middle of what would be a crowd-filled and noisy environment and thereby helps them express their individuality, benefits their mental health and enables them to enjoy the experience along with everyone else. We’re very grateful to Celtic FC for these opportunities.”

Watch a video of Danny’s day out here: https://youtu.be/yVeLV884hZw