A new major community support centre for the disabled marked its opening at Caerphilly Business Park on Thursday, March 17, with a visit from the Deputy Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething.
TouchBase Wales, which is the first centre of its kind in Wales, will provide specialist support and services for children and adults with sensory impairments and other disabilities.
Run by the national deafblind charity Sense Cymru, TouchBase Wales’ state-of-the-art services and facilities will cater for young people and adults with sight and hearing impairments, and multiple disabilities.
Mr Gething was joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by 104-year-old Marion Taylor, who has multi-sensory impairments and will benefit from TouchBase Wales’ services and facilities.
Setting up shop in a recently refurbished building on Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, the centre has been designed to provide a high quality environment that is fully accessible throughout and can facilitate a wide range of social and learning activities.
The space includes a purpose built kitchen, music room, arts and craft room, and a performance area. A multi-sensory room and garden to aid stimulation, mobility and relaxation is also in development.
Deputy Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething, said: “TouchBase will provide vital services for disabled people in a welcoming environment. This centre will not just benefit people with sensory impairment but will also be a hub for the wider community.
“It will make a significant difference to many people’s lives and I’m humbled to officially open its doors. It is an amazing asset which will help people ride a wave of social and personal development opportunities.”
Gillian Morbey, Chief Executive of Sense said: “We’re delighted to open this fantastic new hub in Wales. Our specialist staff are on hand to help individuals enjoy a range of activities, from cooking to arts and crafts, there really is something for everyone.
“Due to our central location in Caerphilly, we are able to welcome individuals from five separate local authorities. We aim to be a hub of support for the local community.”
Sense Cymru is the Welsh arm of Sense, a charity that has been supporting and campaigning for children and adults who are deafblind and have complex needs for over 60 years. There are currently around 250,000 deafblind people in the UK.
Sense Cymru runs services across Wales Further information can be found on the Sense website – www.sense.org.uk/cymru