10 new communication boards have been installed in parks across the Lisburn and Castlereagh area as part of a move by the council to make its parks and open spaces more inclusive for children and young people with additional needs.
Developed in partnership with Sólás Belfast, the boards feature pictures, symbols, and words to assist children and young people with communication.
For some children and young people communication challenges can often create significant barriers to participating in everyday activities. The communication boards are designed to make play areas more communication-friendly, ensuring that everyone can take part in play and social activities in their local community.
The initiative is part of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring public spaces are welcoming and accessible for individuals with additional needs, including those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
Councillor Jonathan Craig, Chair of Communities and Wellbeing, said: “It’s essential for us to support children and young people to develop their communication skills. This project highlights that we can do this in many different settings, while making sure all children and young people feel included in our communities and are encouraged to take part.”
“By installing communication boards, we are enhancing the experience for everyone who wants to enjoy the parks and their facilities, ensuring that they remain enjoyable for all children and young people who visit.”
Each communication board is divided into three sections: emotions, communication requests, and activities. The emotions and communication requests sections are consistent across all parks to provide uniformity for individuals who may visit multiple parks in the Lisburn and Castlereagh areas. The activities section however, is specific to each park and includes real-life images of the park’s play equipment and surroundings.
The boards also help with transitions between activities, guiding young people as they move from one activity to another, such as going to the toilet, having a snack, moving on to a different activity, or leaving the park.
Councillor Claire Kemp, who brought the proposal, said: “These communication boards empower children and young people to express their feelings, communicate their needs while at the park, and decide how they want to play. This fosters independence and supports those with language and communication differences by assisting them to interact socially with peers and build confidence.”
The communication boards have been installed in the following parks:
• Wallace Park, Lisburn (2 boards)
• Moat Park, Dundonald (1 board)
• Moira Demesne (1 board)
• Hillsborough Forest Playpark (2 boards)
• Lough Moss Playpark (1 board)
• Queen Elizabeth Park, Knockmore Road (1 board)
• Stoneyford Play Park (1 board)
• Drumbo Playpark (1 board)
• Maghaberry Playpark (1 board)
• Moneyreagh Playpark (1 board)
Councillor Kemp continued: “This initiative is an important step toward ensuring our parks are inclusive and accessible to all, creating environments where children and young people can engage, communicate, and play with confidence and independence. I encourage families to get out and about and explore one of Lisburn & Castlereagh’s stunning parks and see the boards for themselves.”
Sólás, based in South Belfast, works across Northern Ireland to provide a wide range of services, including social development, early intervention, educational and care support, parent support, and therapeutic services.