A sensory boost for youngsters

From the archive, first published Tuesday 24th Apr 2007.

VISUALLY-IMPAIRED children will benefit from new playground toys, thanks to a grant of more than £3,000 from a charity.

The money, donated by a charity called the Primary Club, was used to buy toys including a giant jenga set and wooden skittles for Southend Visually Impaired Advisory Service.

Jan Kenworthy, specialist teacher for visual impairment, said the service applied for the grant to spend on the playground equipment they felt would best help blind and partially-sighted children in the town.

Among those now using the toys is seven-year-old Nathan Smith, who has had eyesight problems since birth and attends Hinguar School in Shoebury.

Mrs Kenworthy said: "The equipment is made of wood so it makes lovely sounds, which he likes.

"It was just the right thing for him and fitted in with the way he can access things.

"Plastic is difficult for children with visual impairment because it doen't give any clues, it doesn't make any sounds, and wood has a weight to it which helps."

The toys will be rotated at the end of each term between up to 14 schools in the borough which the service supports.

Mrs Kenworthy said the toys were there to be shared with sighted children as well, to help promote inclusion.

She explained this was one way of helping visually-impaired children to stay in mainstream schools with sighted children, rather than needing special school placements.

The Primary Club is a cricketers' charity which was set up to provide sports and recreational facilities for visually-impaired children.

It was set up in 1955 as a fund for blind cricketers, before it expanded to help clubs and schools across the UK.

Former Test cricketer Derek Underwood, who is now president of the charity, was pleased to be able to give the service its £3,601 grant.

He said: "Our service works tirelessly to help people with disabilities. We're thrilled to be able to support this organisation, who share our values of helping to improve the quality of visually-impaired youngsters' lives."