Yahoo News New sensory room for neurodiverse people opens at Cleethorpes Library
A new sensory room with a pop-up sensory pod, an astronaut star projector, a white noise machine and many more incredible features has opened at Cleethorpes Library especially for neurodiverse people.
Packed full of equipment and objects to help stimulate the senses for relaxation and enjoyment in a quiet, safe and peaceful space, the new room is primarily for families with children or young adults who have sensory needs.
Anna Brader, Libraries Operations Manager, who has developed the space, said: “The idea for the room took off at a pace following the launch of our sensory play session, Shake Rattle and Read. Through speaking with parents, we soon realised that they would be grateful to have a safe, sensory space to use with their children.”
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Lincs Inspire, the charitable trust managing the library, took advice from parents with neurodiverse children, along with North East Lincolnshire Council’s (NELC) Education team for Hearing and Vision, the local authority’s SEND team and Linkage College, including a young student from Linkage, Alisha, who volunteers at the library.
Anna added: “Alisha joins us once a week, helping with several of our library groups. She has also been a great help with the set-up of the Sensory Room, by trying out some of the resources that we have.
“Her never-ending joy and enthusiasm when using the Sensory Room has helped her to grow and thrive in the library environment. She is a joy to be around, so much so, that she was the only person who came to mind when thinking about who should officially open the room.
Alisha cut the ribbon to unveil the Sensory Room in front of her library colleagues, family and college mentors.
Debra Gregory Jones, from NELC’s Education team for Hearing and Vision, said: “We support Lincs Inspire’s Sensory Shake, Rattle and Read weekly play session for children with hearing and vision needs. Little ones who may not manage the whole of this session can withdraw to the Sensory Room and then rejoin when and if they want."
She added: “We are so delighted to be in partnership with Lincs Inspire who are going the extra mile to make their service inclusive.”
The Sensory Room is now available to hire for hourly sessions at £2.50 per session. It can also be booked for a half day at £5 or a full day at £10. It is suitable for one family or group with a maximum four people at a time.
Whilst everyone is welcome to use the room, it is primarily for families with children or young adults with sensory needs.
To book the Sensory Room, you can call Cleethorpes Library on (01472) 323650. Walk-in appointments may be available during opening hours. For more information visit www.lincsinspire.com/sensory-room.
