A Seaforth mother has turned her personal struggle to find a safe space for her autistic son into a community project that now supports dozens of families across Sefton. Davida Heneghan, 33, created Mason’s World CIC in March 2025 after recognising a lack of inclusive environments for children with additional needs.
From Personal Need to Community Support
Her son Mason, 10, was diagnosed with autism in 2019 when he was three. Davida said there was little support available at the time, leaving her feeling isolated. “No one around me had children with additional needs,” she said.
Mason is nonverbal and highly sensitive to loud or crowded places, which can trigger intense meltdowns. He uses an app on a tablet to communicate. Davida described him as “very loving” and full of energy, comparing him to a Duracell bunny.
Mason also has ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder), a condition linked to autism that restricts his diet due to extreme sensitivity to taste, texture, smell, temperature, or appearance of food.
Building a Sensory-Friendly Venue
Mason’s World began entirely self-funded in 2025. Weekly “stay and play” sessions started in Netherton about a year ago, supporting around 25 families. The group now also offers parent/carer workshops, SEN group trips, and a summer programme that included weekly swimming sessions at Crosby Leisure Centre.
Davida said the goal is consistency: “Having somewhere to go every single week, meeting the same familiar faces, giving those parents and families somewhere to go with other families – they can know that they’re not going to feel judged.”
She is now renovating a permanent venue, having picked up the keys. The space will include sensory equipment, soft play, a reading corner, and a training room for workshops such as autism awareness training. A parent attending the sessions started a GoFundMe to help cover renovation costs.
Davida wants the project to grow with Mason and meet the needs of all children, adults, and young people with disabilities. “It’s really exciting for the community as well because I think there needs to be more places that our children can access and have their needs met,” she said.
