Sensory Grotto Makes Santa Visits Accessible
A charity has built a sensory grotto to make visiting Santa accessible to all.
Focus Birmingham, which cares for people with visual impairments and complex needs, aims to create a sense of calm with the grotto’s adaptable soft lights, gentle sounds and different textures.
It created the experience to make Christmas more inclusive and ensure that there was a “safe space” for everybody to enjoy a visit with Santa.
“The family’s reactions are amazing to what we do, it fills my heart all year,” staff member Thomas Ward said, adding that it gave “something to the wider community”.
Mr Ward said that the charity celebrated all events across Birmingham and Christmas time incorporated “lots of love”.
“We do this to give an opportunity for everyone to see Father Christmas, regardless of their age, their additional needs,” he said.
CEO of Focus Birmingham Kate Burke said the grotto was just one of many accessible events that the charity held with others, including Christmas fetes, bingo and sing-alongs.
“It’s so important because we believe everybody has the right to live life to the full and reach their potential,” she said.
Ms Burke said that Christmas could be a time with more barriers for those with care and support needs, so the charity made sure people had the same opportunities.
The charity’s specialist mini buses cost more than £400,000 a year to help keep the centre accessible.
It appealed for support for its Christmas campaign this year to help fund the transport service.
Same Difference 