Dingwall Tesco introduces sensory borrow bags to help people living with autism and sensory processing disorders while shopping in Ross-shire store
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A ROSS-SHIRE supermarket is going the extra mile to try and make shopping trips easier for people living with autism and sensory processing disorders.
Michelle Mackay, the community champion for Tesco Dingwall, has introduced a sensory borrow bag into the store.
She explained: "This is not something that is widely available in Tesco Stores. I have come up with this idea and have the full support of the store manager, Stephen McEwan.
"The bag includes a set of ear defenders, emotion communication cards on a lanyard, a fidget cube and a popper toy.
"There are three bags available to borrow from the store for the duration of your shopping trip. The aim of the bags is to help and aid children/adults who have autism or sensory processing disorders cope easier whilst in shopping."
The bags are available from behind the customer service desk and can then be returned there once customers have finished with them.
Ms Mackay said: "The contents of each bag will help ASN children/adults who may struggle with the noise of the store, the cards are an amazing tool to help communicate their feelings and fidget toys to help keep them busy!
"I've introduced these to try and make even one family's shopping trip that little bit easier. I have had some help with preparing these bags from Travis Perkins in Dingwall. Manager, Calum Mackay, kindly donated three sets of ear defenders to us."
A community children's worker specialising in child, health and disability with the Highland Council, donated the emotion communication cards.
