ExtraCare Village receives donation to create 'calming' sensory room

An old room used for storing clutter in an ExtraCare village has been transformed into a sensory space after receiving a donation from a wish granting charity, the Bring Joy Foundation.

The new sensory room at in Rainhill, St Helens, features tactile colour changing fibre optics, a calming bubble tube and soothing mood lighting strips.

Sam Brocklebank, founder of the Bring Joy Foundation, said: “Transforming a space into a treasured, sensory place for older people is exactly the type of difference we wanted to make to older people’s lives through our wish granting charity.

“We’re thrilled that our donation has helped make a sensory haven for Reeve Court Village residents, families and employees alike.”

The charity was established in 2014 by national home care provider Home Instead Senior Care. It aims to bring the joy and fun back into ageing and fund events and activities that help older people rekindle favourite pastimes.

Bring Joy Foundation received the application for a donation from Reeve Court Village to fund the £2,721 sensory room. Dementia specialist Norma Mather, the village’s employee, appealed for the donation to give the old room a new lease of life.

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust manages Reeve Court Village which is home to 260 residents ranging from their mid-50s to 100 years of age. Reeve Court is also the base for 82 members of staff including employees that specialise in elder and dementia care.

The funded sensory room is open every day for residents, their families, visitors and employees alike. The sensory experience complements existing well-being facilities at the ExtraCare village, including: a gym, hair salon, library and restaurant.

Win Wilkinson and Cynthia Seddon have been Reeve Court residents and friends for 12 years. Ms Wilkinson, a 75-year-old great grandmother of eight, said: “It makes you feel happy as sunshine being in the sensory room. You can watch the lights change from blues, to greens and yellows. It’s so calming and such a lovely place to watch the world go by.”

Grandmother-of-two Ms Seddon, aged 84, added: “I love watching the bubbles float up in the tube, and when it goes into blue and pink shades especially. You can just come in here, think about your thoughts, then crack on with the day feeling brightened up.”

The Bring Joy Foundation invites applications from groups or organisations based in the UK that want to put some vitality into their pastimes.

Ms Brocklebank added: “Getting older brings many challenges but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. From day trips to the seaside to stepping out at a vintage tea dance and from gardening to golf lessons, it’s never too late to learn something new or revisit a favourite former pastime or hobby. Our charity exists to fund the little things that can make a big difference to older people’s lives.”

For more information, visit: www.bringjoyfoundation.org/