New sensory room donated to Learning for Life, supporting the development of young disabled adults throughout the North East

Our northeast charity, Meldrum Foundation (part of the Meldrum Group) has supported another local charity, Learning for Life. By donating and fitting equipment to allow them to create a new sensory room.

Learning for Life provides education and care for adults with high support needs, special educational needs or disabilities. Learning for Life has three sites across the Northeast: Consett in County Durham, Disability North and the John Marley Centre both in Newcastle.

Learning for Life provides a much-needed lifeline for those young adults that otherwise are often overlooked in society. The charity provides life skills such as cookery and home management, to allow these young adults to have some independence and freedom.

The social care provided is based on the Preparing for Adulthood agenda. This agenda focuses on four pathways; employment, independent living, good health and friends, family and the community.

This new sensory room, provided by the Meldrum Foundation will provide a useful space for those young adults with autism and learning disabilities by providing; appropriate stimulation, and enhanced learning through occupational therapy or adult-directed play leading to improved information retention, improvement in visual, auditory and tactile processing as well as motor skills and finally by providing a calm space where they can learn to self-regulate their behaviour and assist with improving their ability to focus.

Marie Matthewson, Principal and Head of Services for Learning for Life said “Cheryl James visited our new site the John Marley Centre, Newcastle, within a week we had a wonderful sensory room and would you believe a brand-new dryer too! To say we were overwhelmed by Cheryl’s determination to change the environment for our learners is an understatement! Cheryl and her team are also supporting us with marketing too. These wonderfully kind and generous donations of funding and time will never be forgotten, thank you!’

‘We are absolutely delighted to say the classrooms Meldrum Construction installed at our Consett site are a huge success! These buildings ensure we provide a safe, comfortable, calm environment, where learners can develop their skills. In addition, Dave Meldrum has installed a wonderful new toilet block, free of charge! He is also in the process of providing a canopy to protect our young people from the inclement weather in this area. We really can’t thank Dave and the Meldrum team enough, thank you all!’

Cheryl James, Chair of the Meldrum Foundation and Meldrum Group HR & Marketing Director “It is truly humbling to see the hard work and commitment of the members of staff at Learning for Life. When I visited their John Marley Centre, I knew we had to do something to support and help get this centre noticed and raise awareness of the help and support they offer. We thought by creating a new sensory room, would not only help those currently enrolled with Learning for Life but also help to attract new learners to the centre, so they too can benefit from those essential life skills.

The purpose and aim of the Foundation is to Make A Difference to those most disadvantaged in life, whether it be through their background, age, disability or illness. We strive to transform their quality of life by exposing them to new experiences or by improving the environment in which they live.

Our belief is by improving their quality of life, this in turn benefits their friends, family and ultimately the wider community. Learning for Life is a prime example of this support and transformation in quality of life. We are thrilled to have been able to support them.”

For those who would like to help support Learning for Life you can visit their website, learninglife.org.uk and visit their donations page. It couldn’t be easier to give your support by signing up to ‘Easy Fundraising’ – a cost-free way of donating each time you shop online.

Learning for Life are accepting applications for this current academic year and you can contact Learning for Life by email info@learninglife.org.uk or by calling 01207 509936 to speak to a member of the team.