Crowdfunder launched in aid of innovative sensory room for Highland young people with autism and special needs
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An ingenious mobile “sensory room” could soon be serving young people with autism and special needs if a Cawdor man’s ambitious crowdfunder succeeds.
Jon Lane, who runs the one-to-one support service Out There, is seeking to raise £15,000 to transform a welfare minibus into a fully functioning activity vehicle.
Currently, parents and carers in the Highland area face what can often be stressful journeys to take advantage of therapeutic and stimulating environments crucial to the young person’s wellbeing.
Mr Lane identified a gap in support provision and hatched the idea of bringing the sensory room to the parents and child.
Use of sensory environments for therapy, learning, relaxation and fun evolved from the Dutch concept of “Snoezelen” in the 1980s. They are specifically designed to allow people with special needs to be immersed in beneficial sensory experiences.
Mr Lane, a former care and support manager, has more than 25 years’ experience of working with children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and acquired head injuries.
He said: “The vehicle will be able to park right outside a customer’s house or maybe at a community centre or supermarket car park.
“With a fully-fitted kitchen and toilet, accessing the countryside will be far easier, safer and more enjoyable for all.
“There will even be space for outdoor activity equipment such as bikes, tents, footballs and kites. It’s an activity bus the weather can’t stop.”
Mr Lane has carried out a feasibility and costing exercise which pointed to use of the welfare or “mess” van.
“Commonly used by utility companies for staff working in the countryside, they come with small kitchens, hot and cold water, as well as full electrics.”
As well as a kitchen, the bus would have an eating area with table, TV, laptop, digital camera and mobile internet facilities.
The rear of the vehicle will house a fully-equipped sensory space, with bubble tubes, fidget toys, projection, mood lighting, sound system, beanbag bed, fibre optic curtains, ceiling and flooring.
Mr Lane added: “These will all be controllable by the child as they relax and find peace in what can, for them, often be a confusing and overwhelming world.”
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