We’ve partnered with Transform Healthcare Cambodia (THC) to open the sixth SicKids Sensory Space today.
The new Sensory Space in the north of Cambodia will enhance care for children visiting Battambang Referral Hospital, where our Sensory Space has been built by THC, thanks to funding from SicKids, to our unique specification.
THC is a UK based charity providing healthcare education, training and clinical expertise by UK healthcare professionals volunteering their own time and money to support Cambodian colleagues.
Sensory facilities are proven to support the development of the senses – like touch, hearing and sight – through special lighting, music, tactile objects and a calming environment. They’re a key part of child development, especially for children with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Development Delay, Learning Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The SicKids Sensory Space concept takes all the life-enhancing equipment, toys and principles from traditional sensory rooms, and enables them to be re-packaged for use in physical spaces where you wouldn’t usually find this amazing kind of kit.
Developmental delay is prevalent among children and young people in Cambodia, but unlike some other countries in the world, there is very little access to specialist care. The new SicKids Sensory Space is the first-of-its-kind in northern Cambodia, and will greatly support the wellbeing of the many children and young people in and around Battambang, the country’s third most populous city.
The first SicKids Sensory Space was opened in September 2017 in the Children’s Emergency Department at North Manchester General Hospital in the North West of England, by Her Excellency Dr Rathchavy Soeung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cambodia. Dr Soeung was keen to learn more about how children in Cambodia would benefit from similar facilities.
Since then, we’ve funded, designed, built and opened new Sensory Spaces at M’Lop Tapang Health Centre, M’Lop Tapang Baby Care Programme and at Phnom Kiev, all in the Sihanouk Province in southern Cambodia, and the PANDA unit at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, in the UK.
The template for the SicKids Sensory Space was co-designed with children and young people and their families, ensuring it met the needs of patients needing these life-changing facilities. We’re delighted to introduce the concept to the north of Cambodia, playing a small but significant role in protecting the country’s future, one child at a time.
We don’t want to stop now, and every penny helps. Unlike many charities, we have no overheads, so we can guarantee that every penny we receive will go directly towards protecting children and young people. To find out more and to donate, click here.
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