Frettens have funded a new sensory room to benefit eight young people supported by regional charity Autism Wessex.
As part of the ‘Charity of the Year’ partnership, Frettens donated £5,000 to fund the installation of a new sensory room at Penny Farthing residential home. The room includes a bubble tube, bubble wall with LED lighting and mirror, light projector with effects wheel and fibre optic lighting as well as soft play lounger and floor padding. 
Jane Parker, Manager at Penny Farthing said “At the residential homes we aim to help people achieve their potential, on their terms. Each home provides a safe, supportive and positive environment. We are extremely grateful for the money donated for our new sensory room, which is already proving very beneficial for the four residents at Penny Farthing and the four adults in nearby residential home, Greenways. The residents were so excited when they first used the room, I have never seen them so happy, it was like Christmas, I can’t describe how much they enjoy having this space available to them.”
People with autism can often have difficulties in the management and perception of their sensory experience, often being over or under sensitive to stimuli which can often cause great anxiety. The benefits of a sensory room include, stimulating, developing or balancing the sensory experience; providing a calming environment to reduce tension; improving levels of concentration, alertness and general awareness; and supporting relationship building and the development of social, emotional and communication skills.
Matthew Fretten, Managing Partner said, “We are delighted to have funded the sensory room as part of our charity partnership and provide the young people supported by Autism Wessex with a positive and stimulating environment. We hope the room is beneficial to the residents and being able to access the sensory equipment regularly has positive effects.” 
Autism Wessex has a growing number of residential homes for adults across the Wessex region. Each home accommodates a maximum of four people and employs staff to meet the support needs of those who live there.
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