Major 'dream come true' after expansion plans for Snoezelen

Worcester Snoezelen—a charity that provides leisure therapy activities for disabled adults and children—has bought its building on Turnpike Close and the adjoining land. 

PLANS: Today, people got to see the charity's expansion plans. (Image: Newsquest) The building was owned by the University of Worcester but after a generous donation of £1m by the Kildare Trust the charity can now kick start a major transformation of its services.

It will add a new hall for group activities, a yoga studio, another sensory therapy space, and greater facilities to its existing rooms.

Amanda Evans, whose daughter started using the service after suffering a brain injury when she was two, said the centre had been life-changing for them both.

Team members, beneficiaries, and service users joined together. (Image: Newsquest) "Everything for Elana (after the injury) changed, but her one thing was her love of music.

"Without Snozelen, I don't know where I would take her to use a hydro pool or play music—there are not many facilities for children or adults with disabilities, full stop. 

"It has really changed her life. She can socialise with people without having the really isolated life she could have.

Lizzie Rodriguez and Laura Reaper. (Image: Newsquest) "The expansion is going to bring so much more and give so much space.

"Having more facilities on-site and more staff to use to your advantage will give her more opportunities and widen those opportunities."

Work on the new site will begin on Turnpike Close soon.

EXCITEMENT: Staff was excited to see what the future held. (Image: Newsquest) Jane Roberts is the chief officer at Worcester Snoezelen and has worked at the company for 26 years. 

"To know that we can now respond to that need is so exciting because we have known that need has been there for such a long time," she said. 

"The support from Kildare Trust and the university to help us with the building has made this a dream come true.

"We are really looking forward to our members seeing it."

Ian Smith, who is part of Kildare Trust, said he hopes the money the trust has provided could be used as a catalyst for more good to come out of the charity.

"It will be even more exciting to know when they have raised a lot more money for phases one and two (of this project), knowing that without our bit to start, it wouldn't have happened. 

"It is that (donation) being the catalyst."