A north-east charity unveiled a new interactive space yesterday for children with special needs to enjoy.
Westhill-based SensationALL provides therapeutic activities and specialist support for individuals with disabilities or ‘multiple support needs’ and their families and associated professionals.
The charity used a £30,000 donation from oil and gas firm Apache to build the sensory room.
Team leader Suz Trachan last night said they had managed with “makeshift” equipment up until now.
“The upgrading of our room brings us one step closer to achieving an inclusive flagship facility, with a community focus and reflects the specialist sensory-based services that we provide.
“We now have more opportunities for users to control their environment; to use switches, self-generating noise and Bluetooth technology to do so – it’s fantastic.”
The charity is in the process of completing a community asset transfer of its premises in Westhill, the Old Schoolhouse, from Aberdeenshire council and hopes it will be finalised soon.
The facility evolved from the closure of the Raeden Centre in Aberdeen and acquired the Westhill building in 2016.
The team had first rented premises before making the move to a permanent home in Westhill.
Executive assistant at Apache, Patricia Paterson, opened the new room and said: “I am absolutely delighted with the transformation of the old sensory room into a state of the interactive multi-purpose room.
“Apache are privileged to have been able to make a difference in improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities.”
Information on how companies and individuals can support SensationALL can be found at www.sensationall.org.uk