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Hi. I am trying to get ideas and funding to have a sensory room put in our garden for my 4 yr old disabled son

Our little boys bedroom is just not big enough to do exactly what we would like. hence the idea of a log cabin came about. were saving ourselves and applied to a few people for any kind of help. any ideas would be appreciated. sponsored events etc. he gets so much joy out of sensory rooms we have visited and i would like it to be on hand at home. also so his little mates can benefit too as a lot of sensory rooms only allow a couple of kids at the same time. Also if anyone has ideas for cheaper equipment, rather than all sensory catalogues out there that charge an absolute fortune. thanks for taking the time to read this. D

Public Comments

1. Hey Nicola, First i really admire you i can imaging how hard it can be, as my daughter was born with problems i know where your coming from. i am not sure about sensory equipment but i did see a TV show about it once they went to cheap shops that sold mad lighting with fluffy bits and used that even getting a bag of cheep marbles and ball pool balls you don't have to spend a fortune as anything they touch is special. As for the fund raising why not try boot sales but get friends and family involved, or get in touch with your local newspaper they will help you. Good luck anyways xx xx
2. Contact those shows like 'changing rooms', 'DIY SOS' or 'Garden Invaders'. Can you get help with lottery funding? Also, why not have a fundraiser? Contact local businesses and get them involved (good for advertising etc). That's all I can think of at the moment... Good luck honey!! Oh, alot of sensory stuff you can make yourself, like mobiles, bean bags, foam shapes etc... You can get bubble blowing machines quite cheap from ELC and lava/bubble lamps are reasonable in Argos catalogue... See if there is a scrapstore in your area for foam etc... XXX
3. I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for in a sensory room but I took an old sand box and filled it up with kernal corn and put some tractors and farm animals in it for a farm unit I did with my son. He loved it!!! We also made a grocery store with old cereal boxes and fake veggies and fruits bought at the dollar store. We also bought some cheap baskets (at the dollar store) to display them in and for "shopping baskets". Hope this helps and good luck!!!
4. The family fund may be able to help you here. If not there are cheap(ish) ways of furnishing your own sensory room. A small stereo with a selection of music, a dimmer switch on a 3 (or more) bulbed light, then you can have different light brightnesses and colours in the room. A LOT of soft cushions and a thick carpet, for a log cabin you could possibly get some roll-end pieces, or alternatively mix and match different textures and kinds of carpet, deep shag pile to corded. Just a suggestion. You could try putting a charity box in your local pub and /or shop with some leaflets, its surprising how much money you can get simply by doing this. Or try a sponsored walk, walk with a lot of your friends and your son, walk 10/ 20 miles on a busy(ish) road but make sure its safe for people to stop. Carry collection buckets and signs, people will stop and give you money this way as well. You may need council permission for this, not sure. Hope this helps.
5. contact ground force though the bcc they love a challage and im sure they will love to help you and you can always tell people what you want to do thorugh the local paper and people may give donations or other to help
6. Are you trying to stimulate all senses? or calm him? my mom (a special education teacher) was wondering.