Partnership Creates Joy Without Judgement at Rush Claremont

At Rush Claremont, we believe that every child deserves a place where they can move, play and just be themselves – no explanations, no judgement. That is why partnering with Autism Western Cape for our recent autism‑friendly open day in Claremont has become one of the most meaningful events on our calendar.

On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, during Autism Awareness Month, we welcomed about 200 autistic children, aged between three and 16, together with their families and caregivers, for a dedicated day of inclusive play at our indoor trampoline park.

The result was a joyful, calm and safe experience that reminded all of us why inclusive spaces matter so much.

Why Inclusive Play Is So Important To Us

Rush has always been about families, kids and safe spaces, but events like these push us to think even more carefully about what “safe and fun for everyone” really means. Autism Western Cape’s philosophy – that inclusive play is not about changing the child, but adapting the environment – aligns strongly with what we want our park to be.

In South Africa, an estimated one in 31 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, highlighting just how important it is to create recreational spaces where neurodivergent children can participate without fear of being misunderstood or judged. Too often, parents tell us they avoid busy play venues because they worry about stares, comments or misinterpretation of meltdowns as “naughtiness”, which is exactly the barrier that partnerships like this are designed to remove.

Preparing Our Team: moving From Awareness To Acceptance

In the weeks leading up to the event, Autism Western Cape provided our teams with specialised autism awareness training. This covered how autistic children may process information differently, the impact of sensory sensitivities such as light, sound and crowds, and how to support a child who is overwhelmed or experiencing a meltdown.

As our national brand manager, Richard Poulton, explains, this training was about giving our staff real‑world tools, not just theory:

The training was very much around how to identify who might be autistic… and then how best to deal with somebody that is on the spectrum. It helped our teams to really understand that sometimes verbal communication might not work, but there are some other avenues to explore to make sure that everybody is feeling comfortable, having fun, and obviously being safe.

All our front‑of‑house teams, court monitors and managers were included so that every touchpoint – from check‑in to the trampolines – reflected a more thoughtful, autism‑aware approach.

Adapting Our Park: Calmer, Considered Play

On the day, we made several deliberate changes to the environment at Rush Claremont to ensure a calmer, more considered experience for neurodivergent children. We switched off the music and TV screens to reduce sensory overload, introduced “calming tents” and sensory toys for kids who needed a break, and carefully controlled capacity so the park never felt crowded or overwhelming.

These adjustments meant that children could explore our wall‑to‑wall trampolines, foam pits and activity areas on their own terms, at their own pace. For some children, that looked like constant movement and big jumps; for others, it was shorter bursts of play broken up with quiet time in the calming spaces.

Hearing From Parents: A Space Without Judgement

For us as a venue, one of the clearest signs that the day was a success came from the feedback we received from parents.

Parent Rayne Alexander, who brought her six‑year‑old daughter, shared how the environment made a real difference:

My daughter very much struggles with staying in her space. With the trampolines, it’s just a free‑for‑all in her mind – she can jump from one to the other. Meanwhile, other children, neurotypical children, are less likely to be that open with sharing their space and that freedom.

She described the open day as “fantastic”, noting the “wonderfully trained” staff who understood the children’s needs while still keeping activities safe and structured.

They were incredible. I don’t know if they specifically hire people who are just so kind with children, but the way they responded and played and interacted was great. The management were on the floor the entire time, making sure they were keeping an eye on everything.”

For our leadership and team, this was exactly what we hoped to achieve: a space where parents felt supported, not scrutinised, and where staff were visibly present and engaged.

Beyond Jumping: Developmental Benefits of Trampolining

While the day was first and foremost about fun and inclusion, trampoline‑based play also offers meaningful developmental support for children on the autism spectrum. According to Autism Western Cape, activities like trampolining can improve balance, coordination and motor skills; support sensory processing; boost mood through endorphin release; and provide an engaging platform for focus and learning.

By combining these benefits with an adapted, low‑judgement environment, the open day allowed children to experience both the joy and the developmental value of movement, in a way that worked for them individually.

Creating A Community of Support

One of the most powerful aspects of days like this is that they are not only for the children – they are also for the adults who walk this journey with them every day. Autism Western Cape emphasises that these events give parents and caregivers a chance to connect, exchange practical advice and share experiences that cannot be found in a manual.

As Alexander reflected:

“I’ve learned a lot in the community that you can’t find on Google, you can’t find on Chat GPT. You have to hear it directly from another parent. And these events are very much a comfort. I think it just gives you a little bit of strength. Like, ‘Okay, we can do it.’”

Hearing this reminds us that as a venue, our role is not just to host activities, but to help create moments of connection and reassurance for families who often feel isolated in traditional play spaces.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Inclusive Play

This was the third year that Rush Claremont partnered with Autism Western Cape to host an autism‑friendly event, and it will not be the last. We are committed to building on the training, feedback and learnings from each event so that inclusive thinking becomes part of how we design all our experiences – not only on special days.

As Richard summarises:

There’s a lot of judgement and stuff that happens, especially with autism. It’s not always easily identifiable. So, we’re very much about families and kids and safe spaces. We’ve got access control, and all of our teams are first aid trained, and now we’ve got autism awareness training.

By continuing to partner with organisations like Autism Western Cape, we aim to move from awareness to true acceptance – creating a park where every child, regardless of how they experience the world, has a chance to laugh, move and feel at home.

Looking Ahead: Inviting More Families Into Inclusive Spaces

We are deeply grateful to Autism Western Cape, the schools and groups who joined us, and every parent and caregiver who trusted us with their children on the day. The smiles, shared stories and quiet moments of understanding between families are what make this one of the most special events in the Rush calendar each year.

If you are a parent, caregiver, educator or organisation interested in future autism‑friendly events at Rush Claremont, we would love to hear from you.

Together with our partners, we are committed to growing a network of safe, inclusive play spaces where neurodivergent children are not just accommodated, but truly welcomed.

Have a look at the Daily Maverick article about the event here.