Finishing touched to sensory room

Kestrel teamed up with Norwich-based Plastic Building Supplies (PBS) to provide the finishing touches to a sensory room for a very special two-year-old.

Ava Jermy suffers from complex conditions and disabilities caused by a gene mutation which includes epilepsy, hearing loss, muscle spasms and brain damage.

One of the few things that can bring light into her life – and that of her parents and siblings – is her own sensory room.

But for parents Tina and Andrew and their three other children, who all live together in a small house in Norwich, the only answer was to build a separate space just for Ava.

“Ava needs continual care and has a lot of large equipment to help with her everyday life and needs,” Ava’s mother Tina said. “But we have very limited room and can’t adequately give Ava the space she needs.

“During lockdown, the physiotherapy sessions, which are essential for Ava, had to stop and realised we need a space on our own property to be sure she gets the therapy session she needs.”

With the help of family and friends, they built a sensory room in their garden complete with physio mats, boards and electric lights.

To keep it wind and watertight they needed a variety of different boards which is when PBS helped.

Ava’s uncle Mark and cousin Luke both work for PBS and so asked their company for support.

Managing director Stephen Gibling said: ““For many years the firm has supported East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices so we knew first-hand how much a sensory room improves the quality of life of children like Ava.

“We donated materials and I mentioned to Kestrel that they were in need of 15 lengths of Rosewood boards, which they donated straight away, bringing the total support to around £1,000.”

Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood said: “When we were contacted by PBS, we didn’t hesitate to make the donation and support them with this project. Ava is clearly a very special young person and we hope that she will enjoy and benefit from the sensory room for many years to come.”