The charity DEMAND Design & Manufacture for Disability is to produce a specialist sensory rocking chair to help the students at Breckenbrough.
The project has been supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund, with local people’s kind support, have raised the £1134.00 needed to make this chair.
Each chair is built to accommodate the needs of children and teenagers with autism and other sensory processing disorders using a fabric hood to restrict light and sound input. The chair provides a safe place that students can learn to go when the stresses of the day simply get too much, meaning the children can recharge, recollect themselves and better cope with sensory overload.
A huge thanks to DEMAND, Co-op Local Community Fund and all the kind donations to the Co-op Local Community Fund to enable the school to receive this fantastic resource in the new year!
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Your support can provide sensory sanctuary for students with autism
The charity DEMAND Design & Manufacture for Disability is hoping to produce two specialist sensory rocking chairs to help the students at Breckenbrough School in Thirsk.
The project is being supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund, and the charity need local people’s support to raise the £2268.00 needed to make these chairs.
Each chair is built to accommodate the needs of children and teenagers with autism and other sensory processing disorders using a fabric hood to restrict light and sound input. The chair provides a safe place that students can learn to go when the stresses of the day simply get too much, meaning the children can recharge, recollect themselves and better cope with sensory overload.
Co-op members can choose to support this project as part of the Co-op Local Community Fund by visiting https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/10170 and non-members can join the Co-op for just £1 to offer their support. Visit www.coop.co.uk/membership to join.
“With enough local support we’ll be able to provide two Sensory Shell Chairs and give the students at Breckenbrough School a place to go when the stresses of the day get too much, providing an opportunity to learn the valuable skill of self-regulation which will help them to better access learning and continue to benefit them throughout their adult lives.” Denise Gillies, Fundraising Manager at DEMAND
“The Sensory Shell Chairs will be a much used and welcomed addition to the provision we offer, as bouncing is a widely used technique to help calm anxious children and can be particularly beneficial for those on the autism spectrum.” Diane Walker from Breckenbrough School explains, “The gentle, repetitive motion helps to reduce anxiety through a physical action that requires no thought. The unique hooded design of these chairs offers a warm, cocoon and valuable privacy to young people.
Breckenbrough School have been offering ski trips to students for over 20 years. We partner with Interski as we have found they offer a fantastic package, have a great reputation and many years of experience in working with school groups including SEN. The package they offer is fully inclusive, other than personal clothing and spending money.
We leave school and make our way to the Italian Alps by coach, crossing the channel by boat between Dover and Calais. Once arriving at the Italian ski resort of Courmayuer, we will check in to the Hotel Valdigne. For the following six days pupils will attend ski lessons between 10 am and 3pm. Ski lessons are provided through Interski and all instructors are BASI qualified and English speaking. Returning home by coach overnight to arrive back at school tired but happy.
The school continues to promote and support the ski trip, as it provides our pupils with a great opportunity, not only do the pupils learn a new physical skill they experience a different culture in a breath taking environment. They are able to develop independence skills along as work as part of a team towards shared goals. For those pupils taking part in the Duke Of Edinburgh Award, they can use the ski trip as evidence building towards their bronze award.
When planning a residential, we have to consider many different aspects and how our boys will respond in managing their anxiety levels given the challenges faced on such a trip. For example: