A NURSERY is raising money to revamp its “life changing” sensory room which staff say enables children with special needs to feel free.
Stepping Stones play and learn group in Barrack Street, Colchester, gives children with special needs the opportunity to play alongside their mainstream peers in an integrated setting which benefits all the children.
Formed in 1991, it cares for children with a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s Syndrome, as well as those who are non-verbal or have life-limiting conditions.
Bosses at the nursery are now seeking to overhaul its vital sensory room as a lot of the equipment is now only part-working or not functioning at all.
They say it will cost £10,000 to fulfill the “absolutely amazing” vision which has been drawn up to benefit the children.
Liz Taverner, who works at the nursery and is leading the campaign, said: “The room brings pure delight to their faces; their eyes go wide open and they just sparkle.
“You can see how the non-verbal children react too - their whole body language changes when they are in this room.
“It enables them to be free, free from pre-conceived ideas and barriers they face in life. They love colour, sound and texture and completely lose themselves in there.
“The children love pressing buttons and getting a reaction. It’s about making something happen and seeing it in action which just delights them.
“It’s life changing for a lot of children who suddenly realise they can make something happen where perhaps they haven’t been able to before.
“Even as adults, when we step in there we go back to our childhood. Who doesn’t love a bit of peace and quiet?”
To help boost the fundraising effort, the nursery has started a JustGiving page to raise the money needed to complete the project.
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Mrs Taverner added: “A lot of the equipment is used a lot every day and so we have had upgrades but most of the facilities have been the same since 2013.
“We are here to support the children and the families and want to provide the best possible facilities.”
You can support the fundraiser here.
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