Autism Support: We’re here to help

At the O2 Centre we understand that all of our customers have unique needs, and that for some, help in pre-planning a visit can reduce anxiety and ensure you make the most of your day. We are a busy shopping centre but we do have quieter times and help is on hand should you or family members need further support.

For customers with autism, we have the following services available:

Hidden Disability lanyards
Sensory backpacks
Quiet hour every Wednesday at 10am-11am & Sundays 11am to 12pm

Sensory backpacks

The O2 Centre offers a warm welcome to all our guests and it’s important to us that everyone can enjoy the shopping, dining, and leisure available. For some children and adults, who have hidden disabilities, this can be more challenging. That’s why we have introduced sensory backpacks which are available to hire free of charge from our Security Control office.

These sensory backpacks are particularly aimed at those guests with autism and are packed full of items to assist children and adults and include:

Autism Guides
Communication fans
Autism Books
Sensory Toys

We will be asking users of the sensory backpacks to help us improve the service by offering their feedback when they return them to our Security control. If you'd like to find out more details in advance of your visit please contact us, on 07967 588994.

Quiet hours

Quiet hours are held every Wednesday between 10am and 11am and every Sunday between 11am and 12pm. The centre becomes a calmer place with music turned off, radios turned down, and stores are requested to either turn their music off or have it at a low level.

Guests can also access free sensory packs from the O2 Centre team, containing a range of sensory toys, a hidden disability lanyard, and autism guides. Autism guides provide information on the above initiatives, ways to travel to the centre, and where to find facilities such as toilets on-site.

While visiting, please see a member of our security team and they will be able to assist you. Alternatively, call ahead of your visit (tel: 020 7794 7716) and speak to our Disability Champion, Alison Linskey, who will organise everything for you.

If you'd like to find out any more details in advance of your visit please contact us.

Help us improve

We are committed to listening to your feedback on our autism services. This provides us with an opportunity to improve all what we do. Please contact us with general feedback, comments or a compliment.

Access and mobility

OUR ACCESS & MOBILITY SERVICES AROUND THE CENTRE

AROUND THE CENTRE

ACCESSABLE

SUPPORTING AUTISM FRIENDLY SERVICE

HIDDEN DISABILITY SUNFLOWER LANYARDS

SENSORY TOYS

QUIET HOURS

AUTISM GUIDE

PURPLE TUESDAY

FAMILY ROOM

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