A children’s charity is celebrating the official unveiling of its newly-refurbished multi-sensory therapy suite.

Children and families across the Black Country are now able to enjoy the benefits of state-of-the-art equipment, thanks to a £21,000 donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice from former Goodyear workers. The generous five-figure sum, donated through the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent scheme, was used to transform facilities at the charity’s hospice, Acorns in the Black Country, based in Walsall.
 
The refurbished room has padded walls and flooring throughout and boasts a mix of interactive play areas, wall mirrors, light tubes, a relaxing water bed and flexible, coloured fibre optics.  Head Nurse at Acorns in the Black Country, Jackie Griffiths, said:

“We’re extremely grateful to the union for their support. This generous donation has enabled us to completely transform our sensory suite, bringing it up to date with the latest technology and equipment.

“Multisensory therapy is a key part of our work. The children in our care have a wide variety of complex conditions and all the new interactive apps and activities will help them to communicate their needs, opening up a whole new world and giving them greater independence.”
 
The Benevolent scheme was established following the closure of the Wolverhampton Goodyear Tyre factory in 2015, from what was the workers’ sick pay fund. The scheme is currently supporting more than 40 different charity projects in Wolverhampton and the Black Country. Cyril Barrett, Chairman of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent fund, added:

“The trade union’s involvement with charities dates back to 1985. We’ve got a long and proud history supporting registered charities and those most in need in our community.
 
“When we received the request from Acorns and having visited the hospice on a number of occasions, quite frankly it was an easy project for the trust and management committee to agree to support. We’re very impressed and touched by the support staff and volunteers provide children and families.
 
“Funding this project is part of creating a legacy to all the people that have been members of the fund since 1985. It really is a proud moment for us.”
 
Acorns provides a network of specialist care and support to children and their families, both within the hospice and in family homes. In the past year Acorns has provided care to more than 870 children and over 1,090 families, including those who are bereaved. It costs Acorns nearly £11 million every year to continue providing its services and it relies on fundraising and voluntary donations for the majority of this amount.
 
To find out how you can support Acorns, please visit acorns.org.uk.