A host of local businesses have helped to transform an empty space at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice into a sensory experience for the children and young adults they care over.
Over recent months staff from Center Parcs, Yesss Electrical, Travis Perkins, Bell Group and PPG have donated their time, skills and products to help create the bright and interactive space. In early December staff from Jigsaw officially opened the Sensory Corridor and welcomed back the local companies who helped to transform the space.
Suzanne Garbarino-Danson, Jigsaw Clinical Lead, explained: “The corridor in Jigsaw between the bedrooms and Smoothie Bar was a large, empty space which was rather dull and dark. Many children who attend Jigsaw sometimes need to be on their bed a lot of the time and when they are being transported all they see if a blank ceiling, there is very little stimulation and it can disorientating.”
Jacqui Clapperton, Jigsaw Activities Coordinator said: “My vision for the corridor was to create a sensory experience for our children, young adults and staff. The support from local businesses surpassed my expectations on what we could achieve and together I think we have created a pretty amazing space.”
With the support of the local businesses, the interactive corridor now includes light up trees on the wall, light boxes in the ceiling and artificial grass, mirrors and pictures along the walls. The Sensory Corridor now provides the children and young adults with more activities to engage with whilst being cared for at the children’s hospice.
Andrew Roberts, Yesss Electrical Branch Manager, said: “It was a pleasure and honour to help out. We really enjoyed being involved and working together other companies to bring this together.”
Jigsaw is the children’s hospice for Cumbria. From Workington to Appleby, Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle, Jigsaw provides unique care and support to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. Jigsaw’s dedicated team of trained and highly skilled nurses, health care assistant and activity co-ordinators provide the individualised, complex nursing and therapeutic support each child and young adults needs.
To find out how you, your place of work or local community can support Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please visit www.jigsawhospice.org
