The Mendip School benefiting from £15,000 sensory space

The Mendip School, based at the Bath and West Showground, near Shepton Mallet, has developed the space thanks to funding from the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation and Somerset Community Foundation.

A room has been transformed into a stimulating and exciting sensory space, providing a fully cushioned and accessible space with tactile media including lighting tubes, UV responsive areas and colour and sound projection.

Head teacher, Natalie Hanna, said the resource was already really popular with the children and young people.

"This amazing new resource will encourage the development of motor and communications skills, movement, engagement, relaxation, regulation and play," she said.

"It adds another amazing resource for us to personalise the education for all our young people with special needs."

The Mendip School caters for children from four to 19 with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Speech Language and Communication Needs.

The aim is for young people to be successful and prepared for their lives beyond school.

Kirsty Campbell, programmes manager at Somerset Community Foundation, said: "It is so great to see what a difference this funding has made to school.

"A small space which is well equipped can make such a massive difference to the students and staff.

"We could all benefit from some time in spaces like the sensory room!"

Rhiannon Gogh, Governor, Parent and St James Place Chartered Financial Adviser, added: "St James’s Place Charitable Foundation is so pleased to support such an amazing space.

"The opportunities a sensory room brings for all areas education and therapy are immense and it was wonderful to see the young people enjoying it."

The room will be well used in school time and with holiday playschemes, after school clubs and for local support groups.