24 year old, support work Chloe Lister has raised £2110, for a new sensory room in Andover. Throughout March and April, Chloe has run 100k and jumped 15,000ft out of a plane all in aid of Andover and District Mencap, respite centre Rainbow Corner.
Chloe who has worked for Andover & District Mencap for over 7 years, said “I joined the Rainbow Corner team in July 2019 to provide care for children and young people who have multiple and profound learning disabilities. These include those on the Autistic Spectrum, those with complex medical health needs and physical disabilities.“
Rainbow Corner is a 4-bedded children’s respite home providing overnight short breaks and day care for children and young people with additional needs. They offer daytime; weekend and overnight care for children and young people in Andover and surrounding areas. This is to enable the child’s family to have planned breaks from their role as a carer. In addition, Rainbow Corner can provide emergency care for a child or young person if they have capacity within the home.
Chloe exceeded her original target of £750 to support Rainbow Corner in their development to become a 6-bedded respite home and meet their fundraising target of £12,000 to kit out a newly fitted sensory room.
A sensory room is a therapeutic space that provides children and young people with special needs a variety of sensory stimulus to calm and focus themselves. It can act as a calming space for those experiencing emotional, or behavioural difficulties and allow them to be managed in a safe and secure environment.
These “safe” spaces are designed to provide a place for individuals with sensory issues to decompress and confront a variety of sensory issues in a way that will ultimately help them learn to cope with seemingly normal experiences. This will often include things such as; a bubble tube, fibre optic sensory lights, and soft surroundings.
On the 24th April, Chloe completed a skydive she said “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported and donated to such an amazing cause – I raised above and beyond my target hitting just over £2000 to go towards our new sensory room. Safe to say this was the best experience I have ever had”
To find out more or donate to this fundraiser click HERE
