SCHOOLING/EDUCATION
LEEMING SENSORY ROOM
Limited only by the imagination by Lynn Dunne
I 34
nteractive stories, a hut that goes on for infinity and screens, themes and lighting that can meet literally everything a
youngster’s heart desires are behind the doors of RAF Leeming’s newest and most magical community facility.
The Imaginarium is the result of vision, community spirit and a hugely generous donation by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund – who saw the value of having something so unique within a military community.
The idea of a sensory room was first raised by RAF Leeming’s Community Development Officer, Becki Taylor. It was taken on as a project by Kate Davies, whose husband serves on 90 Signals Unit. Together with Tracy Haley, the trio decided that they had the opportunity to create a space suitable for noisy story times, or quiet sanctuary.
Kate said: “It can be all things to all people because it’s been programmed to be adaptable. We couldn’t find exactly what
Envoy Autumn 2015
we wanted in any catalogue so we designed it ourselves.”
But with initial cost estimates standing at more than £20,000, it was thought that the Imaginarium would be a very long way off – until the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund stepped in.
Paul Hughesdon, Director of Welfare and Policy at the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “We were delighted to provide significant funding to help make this figment of imagination a magical reality for RAF children. Military life can be hard on children and we hope that the Imaginarium will be a place of wonder and inspiration to all of RAF Leeming’s young people, especially those with special needs.”
With the support of the RAFBF, combined with cake sales, a ladies night and a donation from 90 Signals Unit, the project was off the ground.
As well as an ambitious computer network that can be programmed to change lighting colour
and brightness, music and screen projections, the Imaginarium has an interactive story book and is filled with colours and textured designed to appeal particularly to younger children, and those with additional needs.
Tracy has already seen how The Imaginarium has helped her autistic son, Thomas, nine, deal with stressful situations in a safe environment. She said: “This has made a huge difference to us as a family. Thomas quite often finds the busyness of daily life such as school very difficult to handle and doesn’t cope well with chaos and or loud noises. We can bring him here straight from school and he can do his own thing away from everywhere else. It gives him the opportunity to calm down and get himself back to normal. It’s a little lifeline.”
Service life can be difficult for young people who face regular moves away from their friends and long periods of absence by one or both parents. Becki Taylor said: “It can be really stressful being a military child – your
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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