Overview
Alternatives Activity Centre provides a range of resources for adults with disabilities that’s different from the typical day centre type offering. One house in particular helps with independent living skills, within a sociable environment. Individuals can learn to cook, clean, use platforms such as Ebay to sell and enhance skills such as upholstery, or keep fit in the exercise room. With this variety of resources, the only element they really felt they were missing was a calming sensory space.
Client Brief
For their new calming sensory room, the charity was looking for a range of robust, calming sensory equipment to provide a relaxing space for the users and a cosy area different from all else. They wanted a range of furnishings to suit everyone and a good variety of equipment to ensure there was something for everyone with interactive elements.
Design Process
Despite the specified room being on the smaller side, we managed to incorporate a great range of sensory products within our design, in order to maximise the space. This included the ever-popular Borealis Tube, Mood Lighting, Infinity Panel, Fibre Optic Curtain and I-Digital Cloud.
A fixed bench was included for a firm, comfortable area where they could sit or lie down along with a beanbag for more flexible seating. A simple Bluetooth sound system ensured the visitors could use their own devices to play their favourite playlist whilst in the room.
Installation Process
Our design engineer measured the space, to ensure the plinth fitted neatly over the pipework running around the room. This ensured a smooth installation for the engineers, as all fitted furnishings are made to measure for the best finish. The room was only a little over 2 x 2m, so there was a lot to fit in the space, however the engineers were able to locate and fit all of the products in an effective manner, achieving a fantastic finish.
Training Process
On completion of the installation, the engineers gave the staff a full run through of the system with instructions left in snap frames just beneath the controls to ensure everyone who wanted to use the space could get straight to it. Our systems are all wired back to one central location with easy controls and simple step user guides.
Completion
We really enjoyed working with this Alternatives Activity Centre to create a fun, relaxing space for the service users. After experiencing the equipment over the last few months, they have found the room to be a ‘roaring success’, more so than they had imagined it to be! ‘The Zen Den’ as they have named it gets used daily and is loved by everyone.
Source: Alternatives Activity Centre
It’s fantastic to receive such great feedback and the positive comments on our engineers that they really do go above and beyond for every customer, to achieve the best outcome for the end users.
