Sensory equipment including a lighting system and speakers have been installed within the pool room at Oakwell Children’s Short Breaks Centre in St Brelade, and families using the facility say the changes have improved their quality of life.
The upgraded facility was officially opened yesterday.
Madalena de Freitas said the pool helps her 14-year-old daughter Diane, who has cerebral palsy, to relax.
She said: ‘It also helps me. I have two other children so when she is in the pool and being looked after by the staff, I can go away and do things with them and give myself a rest.’
Joan Henriques was also at the opening with her daughter Joanna de Oliveira (11), who suffers from a number of conditions which stop her from speaking and moving.
Ms Henriques said: ‘She really loves music and the sensory lights. It makes her a lot more relaxed. Although she cannot speak, you can see the anticipation on her face when she knows she is going.’
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