Sense@Keech is a service for young people aged 19 years upwards with sensory impairment and severe disabilities.

It is located at - and in co-operation with - the quiet and secluded Keech Hospice Care for children, near Luton, Bedfordshire, and opened in 2009.

Offering day care for up to 15 young adults, it is a unique provision, and one of the first of its kind in the UK.

Facilities and equipment

Sense@Keech offers students therapeutic and interactive activities to help simulate, relax and promote wellbeing.

Equipment includes laser sound-activated lights, a large interactive whiteboard that can be lowered to the floor, and a resonance board, as well as bean bags with speakers in to help promote music to everyone.

The grounds around Sense@Keech provide orchards and allotments for students to grow and pick their own produce within the programme activities.

At Sense@Keech five rooms are utilised daily, such as the messy activities and quiet sensory rooms, while in the new development area the students have access to a large multi-purpose activity room as well as a relaxing / physiotherapy room.

Additionally, Keech’s resources include a dining room and kitchen area, with height-adjustable work surface areas, sensory room, hydrotherapy area and outside space.

Sense@Keech is based at the foot of the Chiltern Hills within easy access to the A6, Bedford and Milton Keynes.

Activities

• Sensory art
  Art sessions where the materials used - colours, smells, textures and sounds - all go towards making art sessions unique to individual students
• Sensory cookery
  Making and baking are always hugely enjoyable at Sense@Keech, especially when the end product is edible!
• Hydrotherapy
  Students can take full advantage of the onsite hydrotherapy suite and whirlpool. Plenty of opportunity for physiotherapy, swimming lessons and pool fun
• Music therapy
  Two music therapists based at Keech bring their skills twice weekly to individual and group therapy sessions
• Information and communications technology
  With the new introduction of a height-adjustable interactive whiteboard, students of all abilities can access the internet and cause and effect interactive activities, as well as choosing music to listen to between activities
• Hand or foot massage and foot spa
  A relaxing activity that enables students to relax and feel comfortable in or out of their chairs
• Sensory gardening
  Students feel the seeds and smell the soil, water and care for a plant and enjoy the harvest at the end, either by taking home or using their produce during sensory cookery
• Horse riding
  Sense@Keech has been using the services of RDA Bromham for several years and the students who can ride thoroughly enjoy the activity
• Community
  From simple shopping, bowling, museum trips, ice skating, and cinema, as well working in conjunction with other community groups, involved in disabled sports, recycling, animal care and music