The Nursery has six elements within it: a light sensory room (white room); a dark room (ultra-violet light); an illuminated ball pool for under fives; a soft play area with an integral large ball pool; a music area and sensory stimulation equipment.

Although areas within the early learning centre can be used as it stands, a great deal more can be achieved through training with the equipment. Training courses for parents and others will be available in the autumn.

The early learning unit is in the process of being registered as a day nursery for visually impaired and multi-disabled children with visual impairment. The nursery has been designed to provide an environment in which the child will get the best possible stimulation of all their senses in addition to the usual nursery-type education. We wish to cultivate expertise within our staff and parents, and to offer a service not available elsewhere. Many of the children presently using the centre have psychological problems and/or difficulties with language development, we hope to offer sessions relating to these and other issues.

The Nursery Unit will be completed in late September 1997.

Support for Families - a parent has been employed for 20 hours a week to offer support to parents both in a formal and informal setting. Parents will be encouraged to offer support to each other. An informal drop-in session has been running over the last three months and is gaining momentum, from this invaluable work other services and support will evolve.

Leisure and Play Opportunities - for a number of years the Society has organised holiday play activities for children of all ages, the need for such events appears to be increasing. Last year the Society ran one of its largest playschemes, since this we have taken the opportunity to step back and review our plans. After this years playscheme the Society intends to radically change the style of its Leisure and Play Opportunities, in doing so we will work towards addressing the needs for families to have after school and weekend activities for children with visual impairment, including day respite for children with multiple disabilities.

Hydrotherapy Pool - the pool will form an exciting part of the leisure, play, fitness and mobility programme. The pool with its many exciting features will be a stimulating environment to encourage movement, mobility and relaxation. In addition to the main pool their is to be a baby pool. The pool will be fitted with a hoist for wheel chair users.

Completion Date September 1997.

Sensory Gardens - Sensory Trail - work on the gardens is slow due to the difficulty in funding the work, however, the garden of the five senses is nearing completion. It will not be practical to plant the herb garden until the end of the year. Work on the Sensory Trail and out door play area will be started when the car parking area has been completed. Cost £20,000 - £30,000.

Liaising with Statutory Authorities and Voluntary Services where appropriate -

A recurring theme in our discussions with other professionals is that of training, we are asked to provide training courses for a number of people. It is our intention to work in partnership with other agencies and parents to do so.

The Society is registered under the Data Protection Act (1984). In order to help, inform and empower families, up to date and accurate records are essential.

A formal declaration on all referal forms stating minimum information will be kept on computer and strict privacy rules adhered to.

Accurate records are required for on going research of need.

Evalutation and Monitoring of existing services is included in the Society's Quality Assurance Manual, implemented and audited.