Yahoo News New ‘sensory shed’ created for a Hull community – and it’s not just kids who plan to make use of it
A community hub in Hull that offers support to local families has a new feature that is about to be unveiled.
St Alban’s Family Hub, based at St Alban’s Church, in Hall Road, has created a “sensory shed” that it is hoped will provide fun and stimulation for local children, as well as a place of peace and contentment for others. Leigh Williamson, who is family and children’s support officer at St Alban’s Church, said: “We got a National Lottery grant that was originally for a sensory garden.
“We already had a garden area where the kids plant vegetables, so we decided to go for a sensory shed instead. We have talked about what to call it and ‘sensory shed’ has stuck.
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“It’s full of sensory toys and lights. There are blinds that can be pulled down for privacy.
“We want it to be for anyone in the local community. We have one woman who wants to use it for meditation and we have another older lady who wants to go in and sit and have a coffee.”
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Lord Mayor of Hull Cllr Mark Collinson is due to perform the grand opening of the sensory shed on Thursday, November 14, at 1pm. He will perform a ribbon-cutting and Leigh said there will be refreshments for people who pop in for a look.
“We’ve got quite a few people from the community coming and children from Hall Road Academy.” The sensory shed can be booked for one-hour slots for just £1 per session, with funds going back into the St Alban’s Family Hub.
Leigh said: “The grant was for £2,400 and it has covered most things. We still need a wheelchair accessible ramp, that is removable.”
Leigh runs breakfast and after-school clubs for local families at the Hub. In the summer, she organised a fun day, with free bouncy castle, sandpits and a mud kitchen for youngsters to enjoy and, more recently, there has been a spooky party for Halloween.
Coming up, St Alban’s Family Hub has a Messy Christmas event, on Tuesday, December 3, from 3.15pm to 4.30pm, with crafts, music and a story, plus shared food. There will also be a free Christmas Lego Club on Tuesday, December 17, from 3.30pm to 4.40pm.
