Aspire Soft Play and Cafe — Attraction in Isle of Wight

Not a good experience at all. We turned up today with our just turned two year old. It was torrential rain out and we were looking for somewhere to shelter and let our daughter out the pram. We are not local and didnt know where else to go in such bad weather. We were met at the door by a lady who explained we couldn't come in as the session was for SEN children. I could see inside that there were about 5 children indoors aged from about 5 to 8 years old, the place was practically empty and the young children section was not occupied at all. I asked if we could please join because we had no where else to go and the weather was so bad, after all I'm not sure a small toddler who is barely speaking would have had much impact on the older children who were running about the larger section of the softplay. I'd have thought that anyone with a bit of common sense/ decency would have just allowed us in considering the circumstances or asked the all of three parents in there if they minded if we joined, which I'm sure they would have been fine with it considering my daughters age and the fact the baby section was empty. However instead of any empathy or kindness (which you'd expect from the church) we had the door slammed in our face whilst my daughter cried heartbroken she couldn't get in. I understand now that the session was for SEN children but this was not advertised very clearly. I was also not even asked if my daughter was SEN herself, only turned away from someone very cold and unfriendly, clearly in the...

What an eye opener, from the outside it is a church. A building where people used to go to meet and pray and listen to sermons and stories. No longer used for this one aim, people now go there to eat, play and make stories and make history, music. There is a Woman Shed, Man Shed, Gardening groups knitting sowing , social worker info and help, home schooling groups, Lunch clubs, Bicycle salvage and sales, Music club, Children's play area and the list goes on and on and on.

Aspire is the central hub of our community, not forgetting the outlet in the high street. Pop in have a look, there has to be something that will interest...

We don't live on the island and we make sure we come here every time we visit. This is such a lovely space. They welcome all children to play sessions and it's a calm and happy environment. Staff are brilliant too! Cannot recommend...