A local sensory centre is set to put smiles on people’s faces next week as they host an inclusive fun day for children with sensory loss from across Forth Valley.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre, based in Camelon, will be running the fun-filled afternoon with activities ranging from meeting guide dog puppies to cooking lessons.
A wide range of exciting and inclusive activities will be available on the day, including arts and crafts, tabletop games, face painting, and a sensory station. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in sensory cookery sessions, make wildflower seed bombs, and use a smoothie bike, supported by Forth Environment Link (FEL).
Visitors will also have a final chance to see the three-metre-tall LEGO dinosaur, currently on display in the centre’s sensory garden, before it leaves.
A highlight of the event will be a visit from guide dog puppy trainers, who will bring along puppies in training for children and families to meet.
The Sensory Fun Day reflects FVSC’s wider commitment to creating opportunities for people with sensory loss to engage socially, build confidence, and develop new skills.
The day is part funded by Youth Scotland’s ‘Feel Good Fund’ who have also supported other youth events at the centre.
In addition to events such as this, FVSC runs sensory awareness sessions in schools throughout Forth Valley. These sessions help pupils better understand the experiences of people who are deaf, blind, or have combined sensory loss. They include an introduction to British Sign Language (BSL), differences between BSL and English, and discussions about the barriers individuals may face. Children also learn basic BSL, including how to finger spell their names and use every day phrases.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre has supported people with sensory loss and their families in Falkirk, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire for over 15 years. The centre welcomes around 20,000 visitors annually and acts as a key resource for information, support, and community engagement.
FVSC provides a wide range of services to help people live independently and with confidence. These include access to IT support, cookery classes, excursions, and sign and lip-reading sessions. The centre also offers volunteering opportunities to help individuals gain new skills and increase their confidence.
The sensory fun day will take place on Friday August 8 between 11am and 2pm at Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Camelon.
Jacquie Winning, Chief Executive of Forth Valley Sensory Centre, said:
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming children from across Forth Valley to our Sensory Fun Day. It’s a valuable opportunity for young people with sensory loss to take part in enjoyable activities in a setting that understands and meets their needs.
“Sensory loss can affect people at any age, and that’s why the support we offer is open to all.
“We are also proud of the work we do in schools and hope to expand this further. If you know of a school in Stirling, Falkirk or Clackmannanshire that may benefit from a sensory awareness session, please contact our Youth and Family Worker, Melissa Condie, at melissacondie@
