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Seating Awareness Days
Seating Awareness Days in 2010 ......... (Swindon - Tuesday, 21st September) ........ (Greater Manchester - Wednesday, 20th October) ......
8th June 2010
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SensoryPlus Awareness Days
SensoryPlus Awareness Days 2010........ (Greater Manchester - Tuesday, 19th October) ...... (Swindon - Wednesday, 10th November) ......
8th June 2010
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Important Information Update
We are currently updating information for our records and would appreciate your help in providing us with information about your establishment to enable us to keep you up to date with our products.
25th May 2010
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SensoryPlus Newsletter - Issue 10
Sensory tools, environments with a smile!
9th March 2010
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the Kirton 10 day delivery promise
Within 10 days of receiving a complete order for either a Delta or Duo chair or one of our tilt-in-space Shower, Toilet and Commode chairs* we will despatch it to you!
21st January 2010
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Naidex KideQuip Seminar Programme
Venue: NEC Birmingham Date: 20th April to 22nd April 2010 KideQuip is an area of Naidex dedicated to children's equipment and services, aimed at parents of children with disabilities, paediatric healthcare and educational professionals.
10th December 2009
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DLF - 40th Anniversary Celebrations
The DLF recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary at the House of Lords.
3rd December 2009
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Another suitcase but not just another hall, SensoryPlus and Portage team up once again
Now stretching back over a decade, the special relationship between Portage, the home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families and SensoryPlus, the sensory company that cares about its customers, continues to strengthen. At Portage's recent Annual National Conference in Northampton SensoryPlus provided two free Sensory experiences enhancing and enriching the whole weekend.
12th November 2009
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Disabled Living Foundation hosts 12th Sensory Awareness Day in London
SensoryPlus' groundbreaking series of Awareness Days continued its nationwide tour in London, partnering with the Disabled Living Foundation to provide a subsidised event for newcomers to Multi-Sensory best practice and those looking to refresh their enthusiasm for their existing equipment.
10th November 2009
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SensoryPlus Awareness Day reaches Aberdeenshire
Despite the chill of an over-eager air conditioning system, delegates to SensoryPlus' latest Awareness Day left warmed and enthused about the use of multi-sensory approaches in their daily lives.
8th October 2009
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The use of multi sensory with challenging behaviours
The "Red-Amber-Green" of Sensory
27th May 2009
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SensoryPlus Newsletter - Issue 9
There is no question that the current economic climate is affecting us all! We are becoming more cost conscious both at home and at work and it is evident that a more conservative culture of spending is upon us.
1st April 2009
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SensoryPlus shows its 'touchy feely' side
SensoryPlus hosted its eighth Sensory Awareness Day in Cardiff, where delegates from around Wales and the South West gathered to listen engaging presentations from some of the most renown speakers in the field of Multi-Sensory best practice.
5th March 2009
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Endura News - Issue 5
The Endura collection has three product classifications, Moduform, HiForm and Softform and all products have been categorised according to the type and severity of environment in which the products can be used - red, amber and green zones to clearly help with your selection process.
19th February 2009
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SensoryPlus Newsletter - Issue 8
Embarking on the development of a Sensory and/or Soft Play environment can be a fairly daunting task. SensoryPlus only include sensible, well conceived products within its portfolio. Our experience of working with customers just like you has educated us to your needs. Simple, effective and reliable are the words most heard from our customers describing what they look for in multi sensory tools.
30th October 2008
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Ifield School - Rising to the challenge
Responding to challenges is one of the most enjoyable facets of developing sensory and soft play environments. Standing in a large cavernous room at Ifield School, Gravesend, surrounded by walls painted 'battleship' grey with a ceiling arcing from standard room height up to 5m high with previous few plug sockets present, I was faced with just such a challenge......... David Payne, Sensory Product Manager
27th October 2008
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A Sensory Room With Soul
Operating as a 'Multi-Sensory' company often introduces SensoryPlus to some of the hardest working, most devoted people it is possible to meet; inspirational, courageous individuals and groups simply brimming with enthusiasm and ideas.
27th October 2008
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New Sensory Room for Frognal House
"Our Sensory room was installed with enthusiasm and care by a very friendly group!"
16th August 2007
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Power of Partnership
SCOPE Special School Meldreth Manor
29th June 2007
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Making Sense of Sensory
Newburn Leisure Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne introduces a new special sensory room.
31st May 2006
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Hospital gets sensory room
A Norfolk mental health unit has spent £30,000 on providing sensory equipment for its patients.
19th January 2006
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Sensory at St Luke's
SensoryPlus has designed, developed and installed four new sensory environments for St Luke's Hospital in Attleborough.
30th September 2005
Designing a Sensory Environment
Where to Start?
Embarking on the development of a Sensory and/or Soft Play environment can be a fairly daunting task.With a plethora of equipment and resources available, it could be considered a minefield!
However, by taking a methodical and structured approach, researching the market and understanding both staff and client needs a successful environment and resource can be developed.
It is essential at the outset of such a project that unambiguous aims and objectives are set and there is a clear understanding of why the environment is being developed and what is expected to be achieved from having such a facility. This can help consolidate expectations and requirements and will ultimately ensure that the most appropriate environment is developed according to need.
Open and frank discussions with all members of staff can help to formulate ideas and encourage “buy-in” and commitment to the project and its successful integration into daily lives. It is important to gain both enthusiasm and commitment for both the initial and on-going development of the Sensory and/or Soft Play environment to ensure it is utilised effectively and efficiently.
The best place to start is by consulting the team at SensoryPlus. We are experienced in the use and set up of Multi Sensory and/or Soft Play environments and we are keen to provide an alternative insight into possible approaches to development and pitfalls to avoid!
The Basics of a Sensory Environment
Traditionally a typical sensory environment will incorporate distraction free areas alongside a selection of different equipment including, for example:
- Projection equipment
- Sound system to produce music and other effects
- Fibre optics
- Bubble tubes
- Mirror balls
- Pinspot and colour wheel
What can such equipment be used for?
Projection Equipment
The incorporation of projection equipment contributes to a wealth of activities in any sensory environment including:
- Development of tracking skills
- Creating themed atmospheres
- Developing word and letter association activities
- Encouraging colour matching
- Development of cause and effect skills
- Encouraging hand and eye co-ordination
- Facilitating communication skills
Typical projection equipment includes:
- Solar 100, Solar 250 or Space Projectors
- Wheel and Cassette rotators (various speeds available)
- Effects Wheels and Cassettes
- Variety of lenses for different effects around a room
Bubble Tubes
Bubble Tubes are often considered to be the heart of the sensory environment, drawing attention and interest through the constantly changing colours and moving bubbles. Bubble Tubes can be used for:
- Visual Stimulation
- Development of cause and effect skills
- Colour sequencing for colour matching
- Encouraging touch through vibration
- Use in themed activities
Typical bubble tube equipment includes:
- Bubble tubes varying heights from 1m upwards
- Ball and Bead Flow Bubble tubes
- Switch Controlled Bubble tubes
- Portable Bubble tubes
- Bubble Screens
- Bubble Domes
Fibre Optics
Fibre optics provide a stunning, visual and tactile experience. They are safe to stroke, hold, wrap around the body and lie among. The constantly changing colours along the length of the fibres focuses attention whilst having a calming affect.
The benefits from using fibre optics include:
- Relaxing and calming effect
- Encouraging movement—to walk, crawl, explore amongst
- Visual tracking skills
- Tactile work
- Colour matching
- Directional skills
- Fine motor skills
- Communication
Typical fibre optic equipment includes:
- Glow Walls
- Side Glows
- Fibre Optic Curtains
- Star Carpets, Ceilings and Boxes
- Ultra Violet Fibre Optics
Switching Systems
Switching systems can play a major role in a sensory environment and is considered to be an empowering tool, facilitating changes to the immediate environment and enabling communication with others.
The benefits of incorporating a switching system include:
- Development of basic cause and effect skills
- Encouraging “turn taking”
- Progressing hand—eye co-ordination skills
- Encouraging vocalisation
- Give control and choices
- Enables integration for those with severe disabilities
- Allows the linking of sounds, pictures and stories
- Encourages body awareness and movement
- Develops learning, co-operation and interaction skills
Typical switching equipment includes:
- Radio remote switch control unit
- Radio transmitter
- Low profile switches
- Dome button switch
- Hand held dome switch
- Sound Switch
- Touch Stick Switch
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