“Trevor (in the photograph below) has been attending the sensory rooms for two years now, he loves relaxing on the water bed and just chilling out. We have seen lots of benefits from using these rooms."
Sensory rooms are rather special. These unique spaces help create a calming and interactive atmosphere: colours flash through fibre-optic strands along the floor, streams of blue and green simultaneously twinkle through the bubble tubes and the disco ball sparkles. Sensory room users can enjoy lying on the water beds and listen to music provided or that they have brought with them. These environments have proven to be extremely valuable to those with disabilities, some evidence suggests that they can help to reduce challenging behaviour.
Two sensory rooms are provided at Red Bank House in Manchester’s Green Quarter by Disabled Living, a charity which provides impartial information about equipment (assistive technology) and services for disabled adults, children, older people and the professionals who support them.
Three members of staff manage the sensory rooms which are used by individuals and groups, children and adults. Today 30 people are using the sensory rooms. Sensory room users include people with dementia, autism, cerebral palsy and a range of other health problems. Some sensory room users book regular sessions while others drop in.
Lizzie Aizlewood from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity said: ‘Redbank house was a fantastic venue for our Parent Voices Count event. It is bright, open and colourful and the staff were warm, welcoming and very helpful in setting up our event. The Sensory play rooms were brilliant and the children loved them. Very impressed.’
