|
HRH The Princess Royal opened Windchimes, a resource
centre for disabled children from east Kent, today (Tuesday 15
July).
Windchimes is a partnership between Kent County Council, Eastern
and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust and The Children's Society.
Special Needs Advisory & Activities Project (SNAAP) is also
based there.
HRH The Princess Royal was joined by children, their parents and
carers at the special occasion.
The centre has been designed especially to meet the needs of
children with a broad range of disabilities. Within the building
there is a spa pool, sensory room, soft play room, computer room
and a multi-purpose hall with an adapted kitchen for use by the
children.
There is also a café, parents' area and meeting room. Much of
the equipment has been funded by The Wooden Spoon - a charity that
supports disadvantaged children and young people. Other charitable
organisations have also contributed.
Attached to the resource centre is a six-bedroomed house, The
Beach Hut, where children with the most complex needs can stay for
up to three nights to give their families a break. It offers the
children a positive experience in a place which has so much to
offer in the way of activities and socialising with other
youngsters.
Outside in the large garden there is specialist play equipment
as well as a sensory garden and a picnic area.
This is a much needed resource, where both children and their
parents can meet with other families. KCC is looking forward to the
continued development of the outreach service for other disabled
children in the area.
For more information about Windchimes and its services, please
contact Ivan O'Reilly, Project Manager, Resource Centre on 01227
741748. |