Sensory room opened after £20,000 charity donation

07 Feb 2023

Published in: Member News

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£20k donation to support new sensory room

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A sensory room has opened to support younger patients at New Cross Hospital following a £20,000 donation from ex-Goodyear workers.

The brightly-painted facility, which cost £20,638 and is on the Children’s Ward, A21, includes two mobile sensory trolleys, a soft play area, large reclining seats, and an infinity mirror and was funded by The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity.

There are different pads on the wall which change the colour of the lighting when pushed and the room has bluetooth access so patients can pair their phones and listen to their own music.

It has been designed to offer a safe, comfortable space for children and young people with physical health conditions, developmental delay or additional sensory needs. But it is also just a relaxing and calm space for any of the patients on the ward.

The donation is the last one from the scheme to The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity and completes a remarkable legacy of generosity that has seen the group donate more than £400,000 of equipment to the Trust since 2016.

Cyril Barrett, Chair and Trustee of the scheme, said: “We’ve seen the tremendous difference our donations have made to the Trust and hopefully this room will have the same effect on the children and the staff here.

“We’ve bought many pieces of equipment for community initiatives in and around Wolverhampton, but in particular for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, to whom we have donated over £400,000 worth of equipment.

“We hope the decency, kindness and care shown by the ex-union Goodyear workers of Wolverhampton and the Black Country will not be forgotten.

“This has been a passion of ours. If you can complete a project that puts a smile on the faces of the patients and their families, what more of a legacy can we leave in our lives?”

Sensory room group photo, from left:- Mark Jenkins, trustee, The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Paul Bough, secretary of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Amanda Winwood, Kirsty Lewis, Kate Jenks, Group Manager, Acute and Community Paediatrics (Children and Young People), Sue Rawlings, Barry Malia, management committee member of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, and Cyril Barrett.

Addressing members of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Sue Rawlings, Chair of The RWT Charity, said: “Thank you on behalf of the Board, staff and patients for everything you and your colleagues have done which have made such a big difference and equally, I’m sure this swansong will do the same. Your efforts will not be forgotten.”

Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, Division 3 at RWT, said: “The sensory room is such a lovely bright, colourful and safe space for the patients. We feel very lucky to have this on our ward at Wolverhampton as not every Children’s Ward has one, so we’re very grateful to the scheme for funding it.

“Some of our children with complex health needs have been here for a long time and it’s really hard on the child and the families. So for them to be able to come into a room like this, away from their bed space with a break from clinical procedures and doctors and nurses, is really wonderful.”

For further information, please call Tim Nash 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net