A new sensory room funded through donations has been created at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for children with autism, cerebral palsy and visual impairments.
It includes new colourful sensory features such as a fibre optic curtain, bubble tube and a kaleido projector, all which help children to feel more relaxed when visiting the hospital.
Benefits of the room include balance and spatial orientation for children with visual impairments as well as allowing children to calm down in a relaxed environment.
The Partially Sighted Society (PSS), a charity based in Doncaster, expressed delight and support at hearing the news of the sensory room and the community’s generous effort to raise money.
The charity’s CEO, Anita Plant, said: “For children with visual impairments, sensory rooms provide an invaluable space to explore, learn, and grow in a safe and accessible environment.”
PSS offers advice and support for people of all ages living with sight loss, as well as providing resources to helpful assistive technologies like electronic readers and daily living tools.
Ms Plant said: “Initiatives like this demonstrate the transformative impact of inclusive design and community collaboration, and we hope it inspires further investment in facilities that empower children with sight loss to thrive.”
The room is located in the Children’s Outpatients Department (OPD) and is open to young patients with additional needs, with the option to customise the lights and music to make the room more adaptable.
The original Doncaster hospital sensory room was closed due to COVID restrictions and the need for new equipment, but has now been reopened and updated due to charitable donations from a skydive, bake sale and a raffle.
The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity works with patients and the wider community to help transform services and facilities.
The charity invests £750,000 back into Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospitals to help fund projects, including care packages for patients and technology to detect infections like the flu.