Volunteering: Creating a sensory room for service users

NCHA’s Executive Team (ET) donned their DIY gear this month to paint a new sensory room for adults with learning disabilities in Nottingham.

Our Chief Executive Paul Moat was joined by ET members Holly Dagnall (Director of Homes and Wellbeing), Allan Fisher (Director of Development and Assets) and Naomi Dobraszczyc (Director of Finance and Resources).

The team sportingly put their painting skills to the test and transformed the home’s old storage room into a vibrant and welcoming pastel blue space.

‘A real privilege’

One service user living at the home is non-verbal due to autism, and so the importance of touch and sight in the room design could not be overstated for maintaining positive wellbeing.

Once the paint had dried, the volunteers decked out the room with a plethora of sensory objects for the service users to enjoy. This included everything from fibrotic lighting and music to textured objects.

Holly Dagnall, Director of Homes and Wellbeing, said: “This will be the first time they will have a room entirely dedicated to helping them relax and be themselves in true comfort! It’s an exciting use of a space that has otherwise been largely unused, and I feel very privileged to be part of this renovation project for our lovely service users.”

Director of Finance and Resources Naomi Dobraszczyc reflected: “For me, volunteering is a chance to get a bit closer to our frontline services. It feels really special to connect and see such positive changes being made for our service users who need our support the most. It was a deeply worthwhile day, and I hope our efforts help to drive more volunteering opportunities in the future.”

‘Superb job’

Bank Support Worker Villma James-Davis said: “The reactions on our service users’ faces were a delight. You have totally transformed a cluttered room into a comfortable, spacious and truly breath-taking area for them to relax and chill.

“The sofa, colourful sparkly ceiling, wall lights and mirrors are truly beautiful. The décor of the walls is so fresh and warm. Amazing transformation of the room that was completed in just one day – wow! Superb job!”

Feeling inspired?

• Get involved with our volunteering opportunities by contacting Volunteer Coordinator Carl Colton at: carl.colton@ncha.org.uk.