A charity based in Co Antrim are in the process of opening a free-to-use community sensory room.
The Carrickfergus and Larne Child Contact Centre has recently moved into a new premises on West Street in Carrickfergus, and have been able to open up their space to help the wider community as well as their service users.
The contact centre facilitates provide contact for families separated either through the courts, social services or solicitors.
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Sensory rooms are designed to help develop a person's senses through special lighting, music, and objects. It can be used as a therapy for children with limited communication skills.
Full of lights of changing colours, pictures and displays, the rooms provide a welcoming and relaxing space for children and adults of all ages.
Shelly McCord from the contact centre said the room has received a great response from children who have used it through their services so far.
However, she said it's a dream come true to be able to open it up to the wider community for free.
"We've always tried to get feedback from parents, asking what we could provide. It's all based around the child and what they need," Shelly told Belfast Live.
"We know that over the past number of years sensory has been a huge want for parents. We have children going into contact with all sorts of needs, and what we're trying to do here is fulfill every need so every child can use it. Whether it be the child is a wheelchair user, blind, deaf, they have an autism or ADHD diagnosis - whatever it is, we can help.
"Everybody we've spoken to in the community has said a room like this is so needed, and since then we've had so much support.
"We got a grant from the National Lottery for £10,000 and a £5,000 grant from Tesco as well as donations and fundraising in the community.
"It's not necessarily just for those with an ASD diagnosis, all our kids are quite nervous when they come into contact. Some of them have never seen their parents, some of them haven't seen them in years, but then they don't know us or the building either. That room has worked wonders even in the first few weeks, for letting kids come in to relax and have a bit of a distraction."
It was important to Shelly and the team at the contact centre to be able to offer the sensory room for free.
She said: "We're very aware of all the financial pressures on families at the minute, and how much pressure there is on families with children with additional needs who perhaps can't be out working as much.
"We all know families are struggling with the bills and putting food on the table, so the last thing we wanted to do was add to that. We know families would want their children to use the space but they may not be able to afford it. As we're getting funding in, we tried to get enough that we don't have to charge for it.
"It's such a nice space and we're very proud of what we've done so far. Now that we're in the centre of Carrick, we're hoping to get more people in through the doors and using the room."
Describing opening the room as "overwhelming", Shelly said it's been on the contact centre's list since they were in previous premises.
They're hoping it will provide a welcoming, relaxing space for children both in the local area and beyond.
"Opening this room has been my dream. This was the number one thing on my list, but we didn't know if it would ever happen.," Shelly added.
"I can't wait to get the kids in to use it, it'll be great to see them here to see the value of having somewhere to go. A lot of people are telling me there's nowhere to bring the kids, there's nowhere locally they can go and just play. Either places are too loud, expensive, busy, or they've closed down due to Covid. So it feels great to be able to provide a space they can visit."
The sensory room is due to open to the wider community at the Carrickfergus and Larne Child Contact Centre from the beginning of June.
You can find out more by following the group on Facebook here.
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