The Lord's Taverners and BT Multi-sensory Rooms for Disabled Children

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/02/28 - Updated: 2025/04/06
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Topic: European Disability News - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This report outlines the growing adoption of multi-sensory rooms in the UK, emphasizing their therapeutic benefits for individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including those with autism, dementia, and sensory processing disorders. These specially designed spaces use light, sound, texture, and aroma to create calming or stimulating environments, tailored to individual needs. The article highlights their implementation in care homes, schools, and hospitals, offering a practical overview of how such environments support relaxation, communication, and cognitive engagement. It provides insight into how multi-sensory rooms are becoming a valuable component in inclusive care and education strategies, particularly for seniors and those with cognitive or physical impairments - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

A three year partnership will enhance the communications skills of disabled children. One of Britain's leading sports charities, The Lord's Taverners, has entered into a major partnership with BT to create 12 new sensory areas across the UK for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Focus

Together, BT and The Lord's Taverners are investing nearly ÂŁ400,000 in the project, which will leave a lasting legacy in local communities across the UK.

The Lord's Taverners is a charity dedicated to providing sporting and recreational opportunities to disadvantaged and disabled children. In partnership with BT, this new project will allow many thousands of young people to benefit from a new type of learning environment that enables them to explore communication skills from an entirely new perspective.

Matthew Pattern, Chief Executive of The Lord's Taverners said:

"We're delighted that BT has become a partner in this exciting project. Thanks to this initiative thousands of disabled children, and their families , are set to benefit from state-of-the-art therapeutic equipment. We are thrilled to be able to offer multi-sensory rooms that will have a lasting impact on so many lives."

Sir Mike Rake, BT Group chairman, said:

"BT has a long history of supporting community projects and helping young people improve their communication skills. We're thrilled to be working with The Lord's Taverners to deliver these multi-sensory rooms, which will benefit thousands of children across the UK."

Time spent in a multi-sensory room has been shown to increase spatial awareness, concentration, relaxation and alertness. For children with autism or severe communication difficulties, the stimulating and soothing properties of these rooms has been shown to calm their behavior and make them more communicative and responsive.

Multi-sensory rooms feature a relaxing and stimulating variety of sights, sounds and textures which help disabled children to learn in an environment that suits their educational needs. Such rooms can result in dramatic benefit to children with sensory impairment, and they can enhance development of senses such as hearing, sight, smell and touch.

The first multi-sensory room funded by the partnership between The Lord's Taverners and BT will be created at the Seashell Trust in Manchester, who run schools and colleges for young people with significant communication difficulties. The launch is planned for May, to coincide with the start of the BT Paralympic World Cup. This is the largest annual international multi-sport competition in elite disability sport.

Dominic Tinner, Head of Development at the Royal School Manchester, which is operated by the Trust, said:

"We are so very grateful to BT and The Lord's Taverners. The new sensory room will be extremely therapeutic for children, such as ours, with multi sensory impairments by providing a wonderful environment in which to stimulate the senses."

"For some of our children, the experience of the sensory room will stimulate reactions not witnessed before by teachers and carers. Lighting, sound effects, mirrors, bubble tubes, fiber optic multi-colored strands, a warm water mattress, music and aromatic oils will all help to enhance the experiences of the children."

This new venture between The Lord's Taverners and BT is inspired by BT's continued support of education and sporting initiatives through its London 2012 program and its role as an Official England 2018 World Cup Bid Partner. In addition to the creation of sensory rooms, BT people will become volunteers supporting Lord's Taverners activities and will also seek to raise funds for the charity.

The Lords Taverners

The Lords Taverners helps young people, particularly those with social, environmental, physical or learning disadvantages, to enjoy cricket and other sporting and leisure activities. The charity was founded in 1950 by a group of actors in the Tavern at Lord's Cricket Ground. They wished to give something back to the game they loved, their aim being to help and encourage young people to participate in the game of cricket, especially those who perhaps would not otherwise have the opportunity.

Over the years, the charitable mission has developed and broadened and they raise money through tireless work of members and volunteers across the country, often capitalizing on their celebrity network that has been a key strength since their foundation.

Fifty percent of the funds awarded go to cricket projects - equipment and competitions for those young people playing the game at grass roots level in schools and clubs. The other half is awarded to special needs schools or organizations, supporting their work to encourage youngsters to participate in recreational activities and a wide range of disabled sports. The Taverners are passionate about providing mobility and they supply specially adapted minibuses at a rate of almost one a week. They are also one of the leading funders of sports wheelchairs.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Multi-sensory rooms represent a thoughtful blend of science and compassion, providing tailored environments that cater to unique sensory needs. As the integration of sensory-based therapies continues to advance, multi-sensory rooms stand out as a thoughtful and scientifically grounded approach to enhancing quality of life for those with complex needs. Their increasing presence in both public and private care sectors reflects a broader shift toward personalized, environment-focused interventions that acknowledge the sensory dimensions of well-being - Disabled World (DW).

Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2010, February 28 - Last revised: 2025, April 6). The Lord's Taverners and BT Multi-sensory Rooms for Disabled Children. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved May 19, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/news/uk/multi-sensory-rooms.php

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