Members of Warrington Play and Sensory Centre have received an innovative boost by making use of newly fitted technology that aims to remove barriers to learning for people with learning disabilities.
The centre, on Hall Road in Woolston, was founded in 1976 as Woolston Play Barn, changing its status and use to Warrington Play & Sensory Centre in July 2012 to provide a recreational facility for children, young people and adults with additional needs and disabilities.
The centre engages more than 400 active members drawn from across Warrington and beyond alongside any preschoolers and any child under 11 years who are not members or have any additional needs.
It has established itself as an important community hub for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
The Cheshire-based trio of companies HBV Group, Cityheart and ATEL Design and Build Limited have contributed the funds to install the technology.
Julie Herbert, manager of Warrington Play and Sensory Centre said: “This new sensory projector helps young people stimulate their imagination, removes barriers to learning and provides opportunities for our members to collaborate or simply relax. It’s amazing to be able to add this to the experience we are providing not just for our members but also to the general public.
“We are grateful to HBV Group, Cityheart and ATEL Design and Build for making this happen and we are excited and delighted for our members and their families who will see the benefits this new technology brings. We’re open for members of the public to try it out and we’d be delighted to welcome new visitors to our centre.”
Jonathan Wrigley, Group Chief Executive of HBV Cityheart said: “We are very pleased to help to officially launch this new technology in the centre and we hope it will provide many hours of fun, learning, relaxation and stimulation for the young people and adults who use this vital service in the community.
“We are always keen to support local organisations like this who share one of core values of striving to make the world a more inclusive and supportive place for people with autism, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.”
Neil Mackrell of ATEL Design & Build said: “We know that assistive technology is particularly important for people with autism and learning disabilities and we’re incredibly proud to play a role in helping people in Warrington who need this service.
“Warrington Play and Sensory Centre is an important hub of the local community and we want to acknowledge the work Julie and her team does here to support families and individuals who enjoy using the centre.”
