Bolton Wanderers officially opened its new Sensory Room at the Toughsheet Community Stadium last Saturday, prior to the League One home fixture against Wycombe Wanderers.
Funded entirely by the Bolton Wanderers Development Association (BWDA) and built by Creative Activity, and in direct consultation with the Bolton Wanderers Disabled Supporters Association (BWDSA) and the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust, the room provides supporters with sensory sensitivities a dedicated matchday space, removing a barrier that has made attending live football difficult or impossible for many fans and their families.
BWFC Chairman Sharon Brittan, Head Coach Steven Schumacher, Level Playing Field Chief Executive Owain Davies, BWDSA Chairman Stephen Parry and members of the BWDSA attended the opening ceremony.
Sharon, who has driven the club's accessibility programme, was clear about what Saturday meant:
She said: "This was an incredibly emotional moment for the club. To see the joy in the families' faces, knowing the challenges they've had at other football clubs that don't have the facilities they need to enjoy the afternoon - it makes life very, very hard for them. Now, at Bolton Wanderers, they can come here. Our sensory room gives access to all those that need these facilities, pre-match, post-match. It literally is a game changer."
The fixture also served as the club's dedicated Unite for Access matchday, part of the Level Playing Field national campaign which ran from 28 February to 15 March 2026. The campaign brings clubs and disabled supporters together to celebrate what good access looks like in practice, and Bolton Wanderers put that message on the pitch. BWDSA members formed a guard of honour as the Wanderers squad entered the field before kick-off and completed a lap of the stadium at half-time to promote the Unite for Access message to supporters in every stand.
The BWDSA, an affiliate of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust, shaped the facility through consultation with the club, ensuring that the room reflects the practical needs of the supporters who will use it. Chairman Stephen Parry was clear that Saturday's opening speaks to a far wider group than many outside the disability community appreciate:
He said: "For fans with disabilities – and that's not just wheelchair users, but people with autism, mental health, people with sight problems – people have tended to sometimes see it quite narrowly. The club is very good at looking at the wide range of disabilities. The sensory room is an example of something quite specific for a group, but really good."
Saturday's opening is the latest step in an accessibility programme the club and BWDSA have built together over several years. The Changing Places toilet, opened in November 2023 in the south-east corner of the stadium opposite the Club Shop, was a landmark for supporters with complex disabilities. Equipped with a changing bench and hoist, shower facility, and toilet, it operates on matchdays and throughout the week. The Wellbeing Hub near the Ticket Office, upgraded accessible toilet provision across the ground, and audio-descriptive matchday commentary have all followed. The BWDA, whose Goldline and Lifeline lottery schemes have funded club development since 1978, has also backed many projects including: stadium digital upgrades and a refurbished East Stand education space in recent times.
Owain Davies, Chief Executive of Level Playing Field, placed the Toughsheet Community Stadium's record in a frame that extends well beyond Saturday's ceremony:
He added: "Disability is the largest minority group in any population – 16 million disabled people, and that's only going to get bigger as people live longer. We need to make sure that if a seven-year-old comes into supporting Bolton, or when they get to 80 or 90 and they might have a disability, that opportunity is still afforded to them. Because your club is with you for life."
The Sensory Room is available to supporters on matchdays. All supporters are welcome. To arrange access or for any accessibility query, contact Daniel Scott, Disability Liaison Officer: dscott@bwfc.co.uk / 01204 328 888.
Click below to view a full gallery of the Sensory Room.
