Worcester Snoezelen welcomed families, volunteers and community partners to mark the official opening of its new sensory wing, designed to enhance the therapeutic experiences available to children and adults with disabilities and neurodivergences.
The development has been supported by Worcestershire County Council through its Public Health Community Grant programme, enabling the creation of a nature themed sensory room featuring a heated waterbed and a range of interactive equipment.
The new space offers visitors additional opportunities to explore sensory stimulation in a calm, controlled environment, supporting relaxation, confidence‑building and emotional wellbeing.
Chief Officer of Worcester Snoezelen, Jane Roberts-Wilkes said: “We are delighted to finally be opening our new sensory wing. It is with extreme pride we are able to offer this to the community. Our families tell us this is one of the only places they can enjoy together in a safe and welcoming environment. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Worcestershire County Council for their support which allowed us to open a new nature themed sensory room at the centre, featuring a heated waterbed, frosted sensory column and comfy beanbags. This is used and loved by so many of our visitors, the waterbed is especially nice for wheelchair users as the warmth of the bed helps to relax muscles and unwind and take in the sensory environment.”
Councillor Satinder Bell, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing at Worcestershire County Council said: “It was wonderful to attend to opening of Worcester Snoezelen’s newly expanded sensory wing. It was an excellent turn out with families, organisations and volunteers all coming together to celebrate the great work that Snoezelen do. It’s clear how invested and passionate everyone who works here is. We are delighted to support the development of the new sensory room and hope it will be well used for many years to come.”
Worcester Snoezelen provides specialist sensory experiences that help hundreds of individuals and families across Worcestershire explore, learn new skills, relax and build confidence in a calm, supportive setting.
To find out more about the charity please visit: https://worcestersnoezelen.org.uk/
To find out more about Worcestershire County Council Public Health grants please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitygrants