SEN friendly space created in community hub

4 hours ago

Clare Wordenin Swaffham

News image — Catherine White and Clare Peak from the Iceni Partnership stand in front of the room's new sensory screen

Clare Worden/BBC Catherine White is wearing a black dress and has short blonde hair. Clare Peak is standing to her right and is wearing a grey jacket over a yellow T-shirt. She has short grey hair and wears glasses. They are standing in front of a screen which has a rainbow of colours across it. — Catherine White and Clare Peak from the Iceni Partnership stand in front of the room's new sensory screen

A new community space has been created in a Norfolk town to support people who have special educational needs (SEN).

The space in the Iceni Centre in Swaffham cost £15,000 to refurbish and includes soundproofing, interactive screens and specialist furniture.

It will be open to all but has been created primarily as a safe space for families with a neurodiverse member or other special educational needs, to spend time in and access support.

Catherine White, Iceni Partnership Manager, said they added the facility following feedback from residents.

Clare Worden/BBC Chairman of Breckland Council Nigel Wilkin stands in front of a blue wall which "Welcome to Swaffham Community Centre" written in silver lettering. He is wearing a black suit and has grey hair and beard. He is wearing a gold set of ceremonial chains. — Chairman of Breckland Council Nigel Wilkin said the centre was a "jewel" which should adapt to the needs of the community

The partnership manages Swaffham Assembly Rooms and Swaffham Community Centre.

White said: "What I hope this community centre exudes and what we're all about is being that welcoming space.

"We're open to all, we're supportive of all.

"People comment that that's how it feels when they come in here and this room is our extra room of feeling sort of hugged and secure and special."

Clare Worden/BBC External view of the Iceni Centre in Swaffham. It is a single story building with much of it timber clad. There is a circular wall at the entrance. It is light yellow in colour. — The Iceni Centre in Swaffham is home to a weekly lunch club, a nursery and a community fridge giving out free food to prevent food waste

The centre houses a mix of businesses and profit-making organisations which cross subsidise the community work.

Clare Peak is a director of the partnership but used to work at the charity Family Action, which has a base in the building.

In that role she recognised that families going through the process of a neurodivergence assessment need support before they get a diagnosis and that different places can be overwhelming.

She added: "So to have a space like this...in a little town like this, it's really, really special. "

Chairman of Breckland Council Nigel Wilkin said the space was "what the community needs".

He said: "I'm so pleased to see such a smart building that is a real jewel for the town itself, adapting to what is needed".