Scottish internationals help unveil facility for disabled youngsters

Scotland internationals Gordon Reid and Richie Vernon have opened a BT-funded multi-sensory room for disabled youngsters at Park School in Kilmarnock.

The room provides a stimulating environment to help enhance learning experiences for youngsters with disabilities and the school is the latest to benefit from a partnership between the Lord's Taverners and BT.

BT and Lord's Taverners have invested more than £500,000 to create 24 special multi-sensory classrooms across the UK since 2010.

Glasgow Warriors pair Reid and Vernon met with pupils and staff at the school, which caters more than 100 students aged between five and 18 who have a range of learning and physical disabilities and associated difficulties such as autism, communication problems and sensory impairment.

These multi-sensory rooms include a variety of lights, textures and sounds which relax and stimulate children to engage in a learning environment which suits their educational needs.

The equipment plays a vital role in helping children develop communication and physical skills, build friendships and boost confidence. It can also help improve children's physical and mental health, help them develop emotional responses and improve basic numeracy and literary skills.

Park School is the second in Scotland with a new sensory room following St Crispin's School in Edinburgh, which has had their multi-sensory room since 2012.

Reid, who has been capped by Scotland 17 times, said: "I’m very proud to be here today unveiling this project, which is a major new asset for children and staff at the school.

"I hope it brings many new, fun experiences for everyone who uses it."

Vernon added: "It’s great that BT and the Lord’s Taverners are helping to create new opportunities for young people with disabilities in Kilmarnock.

"This is a fantastic, therapeutic facility for the school."

Carol-Anne Burns, acting head teacher at Park School, said: "Our new sensory lounge is opening up a whole new world for our pupils.

"It's providing pupils with a stimulating environment which promotes social interactions, increased concentration, improved creativity and the ability to improve their coordination and motor development – all in an atmosphere where pupils feel mentally and physically relaxed.

"The list of benefits to pupils is endless and we feel privileged to receive the funding from the Lord’s Taverners and BT Scotland to make our sensory lounge possible."

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, commented: "It’s been a pleasure to be here today to witness the positive effect the new BT sensory room will have.

"I’d like to thank the pupils and staff of Park School for letting us see at first hand the benefits of our long-standing partnership with the Lord’s Taverners.

"I hope they will find this classroom with a difference a real asset for many years to come."

Paul Robin, Chief Executive of the Lord’s Taverners, added: "The Lord’s Taverners is dedicated to giving young people a sporting chance so we are delighted to work with BT to try and reach our goal of helping over 18,000 young people with disabilities across the UK by 2020.

"This new sensory room will benefit the teachers, carers and families of Park School’s students and enhance the learning experience and future development of its pupils."