Telford Victorian museum creates calm room with sensory toys
Visitors to a museum who need some time out for peace and quiet can use a room set up as a calm space.The Sunflower Room at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Telford has been created for people with special educational needs and disabilities, health conditions, and parents who need to breastfeed or bottle-feed children in a quiet place.The museum in Shropshire recreates everyday life in 1900 and includes Victorian shops, cottages, crafts, trades and food.It is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which worked with local charity Parents Opening Doors to create the quiet space and was funded by donations from five organisations.
The room has comfortable seating, sensory toys and equipment, sensory tents, ear defenders and baby changing mats, plus other items.Andrea Nelson, community engagement manager, said: "We are thrilled to offer a calm space where our visitors with additional needs can take some time out. "Providing the Sunflower Room is one way in which we can be more inclusive and support our local communities."Karen Davies, the museum trust's interim chief executive, added that it would make a big difference to visitors and ensure that everyone felt welcome.Funds are still being raised for the facility to continue to improve the room. The project has been selected by the Co-op as one of the causes its members can support this year by voting for it to receive funds.Sensory bags for visitors with special educational needs and disabilities arrived in December for the annual festive events at the museum.They included ear defenders, pop fidgets, spiky light-up balls, squeeze balls and a wooden kaleidoscope, and they are designed to soothe visitors who may be stressed, anxious, or agitated from sensory overload.
Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Memories Letters: 'I was at school with Lulu's brother'
I remember seeing inside when I was about five or six, and the big mirrored ball in the ceiling fascinated me. The Pally became a roller disco and then a Fine Fare superstore. The Denny Pally in 1957 (Image: Newsquest) I have many fond memories of Dennistoun. We moved to Golfhill Drive and I lived there until my 20s. I went to Alexandra Parade Primary school and sat next to Lulu's younger brother Gordon Lawrie (my brother was in the same class as her sister Edwina.) Jane with two friends at the top of Golfhill Drive, 1977 (Image: Jane Lafferty) I also went to the 'old' Whitehill school in Whitehill Street. Jane Lafferty Glasgow Ashlie's relatives from Dennistoun including James and Willie who ran local businesses (Image: Ashlie Cunningham) Mac's was the best chippy in Glasgow My dad was born in Dennistoun. He and his sister grew up in 223 Cumbernauld Road, a one-bedroom flat, with their parents. When I was younger I used to stay with my nana in the flat. It had no central heating, no bath, only a toilet, only single-glazed windows, and the living room was heated by a gas fire, which used to be coal. The bedroom was big and always cold, but it had a bed recess that my grandpa built, which was a cosy place to sleep. (Image: Newsquest) My dad's family had many businesses in the area: a fish and chip shop (Mac's, the best chippy in Glasgow), the stables on Glenpark Street, a fruit shop, fish shop and van and a funeral director's. My mum worked in the hairdresser's downstairs from where my dad stayed – that's how they met. I have many happy memories visiting my family in Dennistoun growing up. Ashlie Cunningham Glasgow One person can change a life I am 75 years old and was born in a Victorian slum in Townhead with gas lamps, no bathroom or hot water. We moved to Drumchapel in 1955 where I lived in Heathcot Avenue and went to Drumry Primary and Allan Glen's School. I became an accountant, then an entrepreneur, and worked in Germany for the Ministry of Defence. I visited East Berlin during the Cold War, moved to Canada, and worked in Botswana and Somalia for five years. I saw apartheid and its collapse in South Africa, then moved to America and founded two software companies. I'm semi-retired now and live in Palm Beach, Florida. All of this, because I was inspired by one man, the headmaster of Drumry Primary, Mr Alex Horsburgh, way back when I was a child. Maybe my story could show how one person can change a life. Bob Stevenson Florida Douglas outside the prefab in Dennistoun (Image: Douglas Macintyre) Do you remember the Dennistoun prefabs? We lived in the prefabs, on Ledaig Place in Dennistoun, at the bottom of Ledaig Street next to Graham's shop. They were little bungalows, two bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, a bathroom, living room and fitted kitchenette, with a gas fridge. I went to Haghill primary, Mr Fyffe was our teacher. After school, it was out to play and 'be home when when the street lights come on.' Kick the can, hide and seek, football, making gang huts, or in the summer, bring a hardback book from the house, use it to sit on a roller skate, and fly down Ledaig Street. At big school, Onslow Drive Public School, Jim Forrest, former Rangers striker, was in my class. I got a job after school at the Sunny Dunn laundrette, top of Cumbernauld Road. I delivered washing, still wet, to customers' homes. I started my engineering apprenticeship with Meto-Vics in Petershill Road in Springburn. For years it was a 6.30am rise, cycled to work past the gas works, through the" blind tunnel", hail rain or snow. At 18 I headed to Ramsay's on Duke Street, new suit on, then up to the Denny Pally where I met my girlfriend inside (so I didn't need to pay her in.) I would take her to the soda fountain bar downstairs, soft drinks only, then dance to the Jack Anderson Show Band. Great times. Douglas Macintyre Glasgow Whitehill School magazines (Image: Iain Munro) Magazines are a member of old secondary school I went to Whitehill Senior Secondary school in Dennistoun from 1959 until 1963. I lived in Riddrie with my parents, close to Barlinnie jail where my dad worked as a prison officer, and I travelled to and from Dennistoun by public transport, usually the 106 trolleybus. I have kept three of the school magazines (Christmas 1960, Christmas 1962 and Summer 1963) and although I don't rate a mention in any of them, they are a fascinating reminder of my time at Whitehill. I thoroughly enjoyed my teenage years living in Glasgow. Iain Munro The Wirral Send us your Glasgow Memories letters by emailing or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Restoration work begins in Stirling on historic Victorian villa destroyed in fire
The first phase of restoration works at the 19th century Victorian villa - which was gutted by fire back in March last year - is now underway. Efforts to restore a derelict 19th century Victorian villa within the grounds of Stirling Council's Old Viewforth headquarters have commenced, following its devastation by fire last year. The first phase of restoration works at Langgarth House are now underway following the fire back in March last year - which caused extensive damage to the building. The initial stage of works commenced in late May to secure and salvage key elements of the building while removing parts that have been damaged beyond repair. The works, being overseen by specialist advisors, will allow officers to fully assess the building to protect the remaining fabric of the building and structural elements. It's estimated that this phase of work will take place over 18 weeks and will be funded entirely by insurance monies. Langgarth House is included within the Viewforth Masterplan which is being marketed for future development following approval by Councillors which was granted in October last year. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: "Everyone in Stirling cherishes our remarkable built heritage and I'm pleased to see work underway to preserve and make safe as much of the historic Lanngarth House building as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure that key features of the building are retained as part of the work. "It's entirely right that this building should be retained as part of the redevelopment of the Viewforth site and I look forward to seeing work progress in the coming weeks." The derelict category B-listed building was engulfed in flames as fiore crews battled through the night to bring it under control. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident, which caused extensive damage, including to part of the roof and upper floor. Two teenagers appeared in court in connection with the fire. The then Stirling MP Alyn Smith Stirlingdescribed the fire as a "sad sight" and also thanked police and firefighters who attended. The B-listed property, built in 1897, most recently was used as council offices along with the now demolished New Viewforth and Old Viewforth, the current headquarters of Stirling Council. However, forseveral yearsit has been included in the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland, which highlights properties of architectural orhistoric meritthroughout the country that are considered to be at risk or under threat. Langgarth was vacated in 2009 and has been marketed for sale and lease by Stirling Council on various occasions since. Langgarth was labelled 'at risk' in 2012, but while monitored by the council since, the uncertainty of future use of the wider Viewforth site - including years discussing the controversial and now defunctViewforth Link Road - hinderedprogress in successfully securing any potential new owners or leaseholders. In the months before the fire, councillors had been reviewing detailed options for the disposal of the wider Viewforth site, which would see the authority retain and refurbish its headquarters at Old Viewforth. At a full council meeting a month prior, chief operating officer for infrastructure and environment Brian Roberts had confirmed that Langgarth would be part of a disposal strategy for the whole site being brought forward to a council meeting in June.
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council planning decisions this week
Silver birch approved for removal A dangerously leaning silver birch tree was approved for removal by a delegated officer in Monmouthshire. The tree was threatening a house, power line, and heating oil supply pipe. Usk store to undergo redevelopment The Co-op store on Bridge Street, Usk, will see a range of upgrades to its building and infrastructure. Approved plans include the installation of a new gas cooler, DA pack, and air conditioning units in the rear yard, replacing existing equipment. The timber shop fronts will be repaired and redecorated to match the current appearance. The main entrance canopy will receive new boxing at its base to address damage to the timber columns. Additional improvements include new ventilation systems, external LED lighting, and internal refurbishments such as upgraded flooring, ceilings, and fire boarding. The application was granted listed building consent on June 3. Glamping site approved in Tintern A sustainable glamping site in Tintern has been approved by planners. The seasonal development includes six bell tents, two compost toilets, and a shower block at Cross Farm, Ravensnest Wood Road. Cottage set for energy efficiency upgrades A cottage near Tintern is set for energy efficiency upgrades. Monmouthshire County Council has approved plans to retrofit The Retreat, located on Barbadoes Hill, with external wall insulation and three new Velux roof windows. The insulation will be applied to all four sides of the property and finished with a white render. The application was approved by delegated decision on June 2. Roof light given green light in Caerwent A homeowner has been granted permission to add an extra roof light to their home. Caerwent Community Council granted the applicant's request for a property on Merton Green, Caerwent, on May 29. Garden to become driveway in Chepstow A front garden is set to be converted into a driveway. Monmouthshire County Council has approved a request to replace the lawn at 23 Western Avenue in Chepstow with a hard-surfaced parking area. The proposed driveway will measure six metres by 6.5 metres. The application was approved on June 2. Forestry access track plans withdrawn Elsewhere, plans to build a forestry access track in Devauden have been withdrawn. The track was planned to support tree felling operations in Little Tredean Wood, where mature larch trees have been infected with Phytophthora ramorum. The proposal was withdrawn on June 3. Garden extension in Devauden approved Meanwhile, a bungalow's garden will be extended after planning permission was granted. The land will be incorporated into the residential garden at Pen Y Bryn Bungalow, Cobblers Hill, Devauden. Gym and home office approved in Newchurch A new gym and home office outbuilding at Pyotts Cottage, Coed Llifos Road, Newchurch, has been approved. The construction was greenlit by a delegated officer. Yew tree to be pruned to protect St Tysois Church Finally, a historic yew tree will be pruned to protect a village church. Located in the churchyard of St Tysois Church in Llansoy, near Usk, the tree will be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches from damaging the building or impeding access. Monmouthshire County Council approved the plans on June 2. The work will raise the tree's crown to two metres and clear branches within three metres of the church on its western side. The application also includes the removal of epicormic shoots from the trunk.
