Fundraising effort launched for sensory room and garden revamp at Llanelli supported living home
Mencap aims to raise up to £40,000 for the ambitious project
A fundraising effort is under way to develop a garden and a sensory activity space for four supported living residents at a home in Llanelli.
The home in Llangennech is run by Mencap and the aim is to raise £40,000 towards the project but the charity hopes tradespeople and those with appropriate skills can give their time to the scheme too.
Mencap provides help and assistance through supported living, supported employment, respite services and organised activities.
Mecap service manager Hayley Parker said: "We are fundraising to be able to develop the garden and create a sensory room for the residents.
"The garden is a great space with lots of potential, but unfortunately most of it is inaccessible to the four people who live there, all of whom have a range of complex needs and three are wheelchair users.
"We would love to hear from tradespeople and builders who can perhaps help with materials and their time, that way we won't necessarily need to raise as much as £40,000.
"We are grateful of any help people can give to make this project a reality.
"By supporting this project, people will be enabling them to access the whole garden, as well as have more choices of where and how they spend their time in the garden."
She added: "The plan involves wheelchair-friendly paths for access, paved areas for seating and raised beds to enabling residents to be able to get involved in growing their own plants."
The project would also be a step to giving back access to activities the residents used to access before the Covid-19 pandemic, such as trampolining, which they can no longer access locally.
Hayley said: "In addition to currently not being able to access large parts of the garden, one resident used to benefit and enjoy access to trampolines, but since the pandemic this activity in the community is no longer possible.
"The garden plan also includes putting in a sunken trampoline for residents to get bouncing again and would be accessible for all.
"Inside their home the plan is to convert one of the rooms into a purpose-built sensory space.
"This dual-purpose sensory room will offer a safe and calming environment, as well as being able to be feature-rich with interactive equipment for sensory stimulation and activity.
"Residents will massively benefit from this work because both the sensory room and garden will be invaluable for their physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
"It will enable the residents to make greater use and have greater enjoyment from their home."
A JustGiving page has been set up and donations can be made here.
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