July 4, 2023, NI, Armaghi: Brand new state-of-the-art multi-sensory space opens in Armagh https://www.armaghi.com/news/armagh-news/brand-new-state-of-the-art-multi-sensory-space-opens-in-armagh/214909
A brand-new state-of-the-art ‘Sensory Xperience’ is coming to Armagh, equipped with the best professional kit in a safe and secure’ environment.
‘The Sensory Xperience’, which opened its doors today (July 4) in the Dobbin Centre, offers an innovative, multi-sensory environment, spread across a variety of spaces, featuring the best-of-the best equipment that engages with all of the senses.
The space, which is the first of its kind in Armagh, was set up by Colleen McConville, who along with her husband Ciaran, became frustrated with what they had witnessed first hand as a lack of support in Northern Ireland for children with additional education needs.
They have three kids, a daughter who is 20 and two sons aged 10 and 8. Their sons are both in a primary school for Special Educational Needs (SEN), and have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Delay, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which presents them both with severe learning difficulties. Their oldest son suffers from anxiety and their youngest son is non- speaking.
Speaking on her sons’ conditions, Colleen said: “During and after the initial process of having our oldest son diagnosed with ASD we realised quite quickly that there is a lack of adequate support and resources.
“There is very little in the country to cater exclusively for people with additional needs, despite the ever-growing need for that diversity. While some people with special needs can reasonably, or even easily, cope with activities that are considered ‘normal’ so many simply cannot, and the options beyond the ‘normal’ are extremely limited.”
To this end, the idea for a new ‘Sensory Xperience’ was conjured up in November 2022. By December, it quickly began to grow and developed into a seven-month long project that Colleen and her family threw themselves into.
Colleen says that the space is a “safe and secure environment for children and adults with additional needs. It’s an opportunity to have fun and express their emotions,” adding that she is “passionate” about making things easier for other families….
Colleen says that these facilities will “help alleviate pressure on parents and carers because it gives them somewhere to go with people who have similar difficulties.”
Colleen is keen to stress that the space comes with the knowledge that all staff have been trained, fully vetted and have experience in all the necessary and relevant fields. …
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