While we’re continuing to seek funding to build our first two sensory rooms, we’ve been busy making exciting plans about how to design these spaces, which will enhance the wellbeing of children and young with developmental delay.
Our Director of Nursing, Dianne Cook, has met with Ruth Bell, Learning Disability Specialist Nurse for Pennine Acute Hospital Trust, to discuss the project.
Working with Ruth, Dianne has begun to seek advice on the environment and equipment required to build a sensory room and best provide support to children and young people with a learning disability who attend A&E with acute illness or injury.
Dianne has also been consulting with parents who’ve attended emergency departments with children with learning disabilities, who have enthusiastically offered their own experience and knowledge to help us design the ideal sensory space to contrast the noisy, often scary environment of the A&E.
Dianne says:
“It’s really important that we get the absolute best value out of our sensory rooms. We’re not just looking for the flashest, most fancy equipment. We want the equipment that will make the biggest difference to children, and who better to give us advice on that than the parents of children and young people who would benefit most? We’ll be continuing to talk to parents and medical experts as we build a ‘shopping list’ ahead of building the space.”
We’re still fund raising to make this life-changing project a reality, so please click here to donate any amount – no matter how big or small, it’ll help us make a massive difference to many lives.