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A mother in Bala, Gwynedd, felt the need to create a campsite for her autistic son due to the lack of suitable accommodation options available. Janatha Carden runs short breaks for neurodivergent families and found it a challenge to find appropriate places to stay. She highlighted the lack of understanding in the tourism and hotel industry regarding neurodiversity, emphasizing the importance of proper training for individuals working in these sectors. The Welsh government acknowledged the necessity of inclusive tourism to ensure that Wales remains a welcoming destination for all visitors.
Faced with the difficulty of finding a suitable campsite for her son within driving distance, Janatha Carden decided to take matters into her own hands by planning to set up her own campsite. She described her son as being active and in need of a fully fenced location, similar to what other families with neurodivergent members expressed. During the pandemic, she developed the idea of creating a secure site with play equipment to provide families with the relaxation they need. Janatha has already organized camping trips for families and secured lottery funding to establish a permanent caravan park exclusively for families with neurodiverse and autistic members in north Wales.
Toni Hall, a parent who has been attending the camp for the past three summers with her family, emphasized the positive impact the campsite had on her family. She noted the anxiety that often comes with going to new places with her family and highlighted the welcoming and inclusive environment the campsite provided. Lee Morgan, a father of an autistic daughter, highlighted the stress that comes with preparing for the summer holidays for families with neurodivergent members. He mentioned the importance of having a strong support network and called for more inclusive initiatives from both businesses and government authorities to support families with special needs.
Naiomi Flewers, a mother of four with additional needs, reflected on the overwhelming nature of holidays for families like hers and the lack of accessible play areas, inclusive holiday parks, and attractions. She stressed the importance of creating more provisions like hers to cater to families’ specific needs. Prof. Brian Garrod from Swansea University suggested that the government could do more to promote inclusion for families with neurodivergent children. He called for statutory measures to ensure equality of provision for such families and highlighted the challenges they face in finding suitable accommodations. The Welsh government expressed its commitment to working with industry partners, academic experts, and neurodivergent communities to enhance inclusive practices in the tourism sector
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