Inside the first purpose-built caravan for neurodivergent guests open at UK holiday park
THE first manufactured caravan for neurodivergent guests has been created in the UK.
It has been designed by My Safe Place Southern, run by Karen and James Mason who have decades of experience in both the holiday park sector and construction and design.
Government figures last year suggested that one in five people in the UK are neurodivergent – which includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
The first project of My Safe Place Southern was working with Verdant Parks and Sunseeker Holiday Homes.
The new caravan is now installed at Riverside Holiday Park in Northumberland.
They hope that the creation of them will encourage the UK holiday park sector to find ways to make accommodation more suitable for neurodivergent guests.
Karen set up the business after talking to her brother who has three neurodivergent children.
She said: “Wouldn’t it be great if all holiday parks were places where every family, whatever their needs, could relax, connect, and make lasting memories.
“He told me he can’t travel abroad with his kids and both his experiences at UK caravan parks were so stressful he decided never to book another holiday park again.”
“The stark reality is that for many neurodivergent individuals, holidays can be filled with overwhelming sensory triggers, confusing environments, and unprepared staff.
“What should be a chance to relax and connect too often turns into an ordeal. Yet it doesn’t have to be this way.”
The new caravans and lodges will be kitted out with bespoke sensory equipment and important safety features.
They have also created affordable retrofit packages, which allows existing holiday accommodation to be adapted instead of having to install entire new ones.
My Safe Place Southern also provides training to help holiday staff be able to support neurodivergent families.