Me and my sidekicks Tanya and Jess are cycling to Poland on the 23rd June in the hope to raise enough money to build a sensory room. I have chosen The Palace (artist residency) as an end goal because it offers a great opportunity for me to meet other creatives, learn new skills and develop my own sensory knowledge.

Apsley House is a supported living home,  where individuals gain valuable life skills, are helped to access the community whilst receiving support to live their lives to the fullest and as independently as possible! Since I began working for the company I have been passionate about introducing holistic ways of working and actively practice the importance of keeping creative in this supported living environment.

Apsley is a unique building with 18 residents who vary not only in age (30-64) but also in support and sensory needs. We are currently providing sensory sessions in the privacy of individual’s bedrooms on a 1-1 basis however this is not ideal as they often get interrupted and the noise of the main house is usually quite a distraction. Although the busy atmosphere of the main house is warmly welcomed and enjoyed by all, many of the people who live here have expressed the want and sometimes need for an external space. Because of this, we intend to build the sensory room at the bottom of the garden with easy access from a path that leads down to it through our newly renovating sensory area!

Sensory stimulation can enhance learning through play, increase movement and balance whilst improving communication skills. It can also help tackle problems with behaviors by encouraging users to engage with their environments which can increase self-worth and confidence. A sensory room is a specially designed room which combines a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses.

The room will include lights, sounds, adaptable seating and playful colours, helping to create a safe and fun environment where exploration and interaction can take place without risk. Having an unrestricted, non-threatening safe space to explore at their own leisure will help facilitate the people who live here, through positive experience, to interact with the world around them whilst fullfilling their sensory needs on a day to day basis.

By donating towards our external sensory room you are helping us better utilize support hours whilst maximizing the opportunities and wellbeing of everybody who lives here!

All donations will go towards equipment for Apsley House.

THANK  YOU