Worcester Snoezelen receives £88,000 new grant

Worcester Snoezelen, the sensory leisure therapy centre, has received £88,000 from the lottery, which will now mean the charity can open a Coffee Lounge at its centre in Turnpike Close, on the University of Worcester’s St Johns campus.

To celebrate the charity’s new patron the honourable Lady Rosalind Morrison the vice Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, the mayor of Worcester Councillor Allah Ditta, and mayoress, Naseem Akhtar were invited to a gathering at the centre on Thursday.

During the event Tamsin Davey, funding officer from the National Lottery, made a surprise visit with a lottery cheque.

The new Coffee Lounge will train and employ people with learning disabilities, who will sell coffee and snacks to visitors.

Artwork produced by the charity’s members is also being hung on the walls, available for sale, and at the event there was a large art exhibition of the work already created.

The Coffee Lounge is be named after Penny Brazier who founded Worcester Snoezelen in 1993. Over the years the charity has helped children and adults with learning disabilities introducing bubble tubes and music with warm water beds and hydrotherapy for people with learning disabilities.

Cllr Ditta said: “They will be able to help more youngsters in the city and surrounding areas at the centre, thanks to this grant. They are doing important work that needs support.”

Mrs Davey said: “We are really delighted to be able to give them this grant, which is thanks to lottery players and will help with the work they are doing with the children.

Penny Brazier said: “The concept behind the charity is about using your senses and now our visitors will have opportunity for a taste sensation.

"I’m deeply honoured the Coffee Lounge is being named after me.”

Jane Roberts, Worcester Snoezelen’s chief officer said: “The quality of artwork on display in the exhibition this year is outstanding, and to be able to introduce our new patron, Lady Morrison, to everyone made the event really special. The cheque from the National Lottery was truly the icing on the cake.”

There is free admission to the exhibition and silent auction until July 14. The exhibition is open weekdays between 10am and 6pm, and at weekends between 10am and 2pm. There are more than 50 pieces of art being exhibited, some by people who attend art sessions with the charity, and some donated by other local artists.

The auction will raise funds for the Worcester Snoezelen charity.