Crowdfunding for our Cambodia Sensory Spaces

We are delighted to have held the grand opening of The SicKids Sensory Space at North Manchester General Hospital this month. Mr Barry Dixon CBE DL QFSM MIFireE, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, performed the opening ceremony on 13 September 2017.

Sensory facilities support the development of the senses – like touch, hearing and sight – through special lighting, music, tactile objects and a calming environment. While many hospitals and health centres in the UK have similar facilities in their children’s wards, there are few with 21^st Century equipment within their emergency departments.

The SicKids Sensory Space at North Manchester General Hospital is the first sensory facility opened by SicKids and in November 2017 SicKids will open its second state-of-the-art sensory facility, this time in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. This facility will offer life-enhancing opportunities for many hundreds of children and young people with developmental delay, which, due to its link to conditions related to poverty, is prevalent in Cambodia.

The Sensory Space in Manchester was designed by local children and their families, who volunteered to support the project with creative input and ideas to make the facility as welcoming, attractive and effective as possible.

In attendance at the grand opening ceremony was Her Excellency Dr Rathchavy Soeung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cambodia, who was keen to learn more about how children in Cambodia will benefit when SicKids opens its second sensory space in November 2017.

To symbolise the unique partnership between SicKids and the diverse communities in the North West of England and Cambodia, the Trustees presented the Deputy Lieutenant and the Ambassador with friendship bracelets. The colourful bracelets, worn by SicKids’ Trustees, are hand-made by parents of children living in South West Cambodia. The sale of each bracelet, for US$1.25, helps to support street living and street working children, young people, and their families, and keep children in school.

Professor Andrew Rowland, SicKids’ founder and chairperson, said:

“Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, as well as The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, I’m thrilled about the opening of the first-ever SicKids Sensory Space. An amazing team work here at the children’s emergency department at North Manchester General Hospital, and the sensory space will help them go even further in the lifesaving and supportive care they offer to acutely unwell and injured children within the local region.”

Dianne Cook, Director of Nursing at SicKids said:

“It’s amazing that children, young people, and their families have co-designed this facility. Having a state-of-the-art sensory space in the children’s emergency department will really help the hospital to deliver better care to children and young people who attend the department with a learning or physical disability. It will also make the environment much more welcoming for children who are frightened about coming to hospital.”

Simon Featherstone, Director of Nursing at North Manchester General Hospital said:

“On behalf of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, sincere thanks to the team at SicKids, and their supporters, for providing this excellent facility. Over 30,000 children and young people attend the emergency department at North Manchester General Hospital every year. I have no doubt that the new SicKids Sensory Space will significantly improve the care we offer them.”

Mr Barry Dixon CBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Her Excellency Dr Rathchavy Soeung to the fantastic city of Manchester, and to have the pleasure of opening this wonderful sensory space at North Manchester General Hospital. I’m sure it will make a great difference to the quality of care offered to children and young people. I look forward to hearing about the success of the facility, as well as the forthcoming opening of the sensory space in Cambodia.”

As of 2016 SicKids actively fundraises to support two key projects:

Medical outreach clinics, developing talent and sharing skills

This project aims to award grants to medical professionals working with children and young people in the North West of England and Cambodia, to travel and spend time learning from the health and social care teams in the reciprocal country. The outcomes of this project include improved medical knowledge for all concerned, and enhanced medical care offered to children and young people. As of September 2017, SicKids has awarded four grants, and has already seen a significant positive impact on children and young people in Cambodia, including better asthma control, improved development, and the launch of new guidelines for managing paediatric conditions. SicKids’ grant recipients have also provided First Aid training to over 60 Cambodian community workers, opened a health education and resource centre, and delivered the first known workshop on baby massage in Cambodia.

Sensory spaces

Sensory equipment is designed specifically to support the development of the senses - like touch, hearing and sight - through things like special lighting, music, and tactile objects. While all children in a clinic or hospital might benefit from additional sensory support, for those with developmental delay, mobility issues, or visual/hearing impairment this might make their visit so much more pleasant. Very few children in Cambodia, if any, have access to these sorts of facilities. For some children with developmental delay a sensory room could mean the difference between long term disabilities and mobility issues, and good health and happiness. SicKids is fund raising to build a series of sensory spaces in both the North West of England and Cambodia.

Links:

• More details about the opening of our first Sensory Space