Young adults’ quality of life will be improved after a care home near Shrewsbury started work on a new £4,000 specialist room.
Merrington Grange Care Home, in Bomere Heath, has been raising money since March to install a sensory room.
The home, run by Adelphi care services, looks after nine young adults with autism and learning difficulties and the new room will help them develop their skills through a variety of activities that rely on using the five senses.
Almost £4,000 has been raised by staff so far, which included a climb up Mount Everest which raised £1,500 and a fun day held at the Red Barn in Shrewsbury which saw a similar amount netted.
Workers have been installing electrics for the room over the past two weeks and now work will begin to fit the rest of the equipment. Staff aim to have the project finished by Christmas.
The room will have two giant bubble tubes, removable soft flooring, and a ball pit with colour coded nets on the walls so that residents can learn to match up colours.
A bubble machine, aromatherapy machine, a disco ball and two 360 degree overhead projectors which can transform the room into different scenes will also be installed.
Hannah Oliver, support worker, said: “One of the old dining rooms became available so I went to my boss and said ‘Can we change it into a sensory room?’
“I have been learning about people with learning difficulties and what they need since I came here in April 2009 and I think it’s a brilliant idea – it will bring so many benefits to them.
“The room will have so many different uses, and will have a de-escalating aspect because some of our residents have challenging behaviour, as well as a fun and learning aspect. They will be able to develop their skills through the five senses.”
Kim Walshaw, manager of the care home, said: “It is a brand new project which will give people with learning difficulties sensory stimulation and will increase their quality of life, and it’s another opportunity to take part in another activity.”
By David Seadon