News

Vail Williams dives in to support local hospices’ hydrotherapy pool refurbishment

November 7, 2018

Naomi House & Jacksplace, our charity of the year, is now providing an enhanced hydrotherapy experience to life limited and life threatened children and young adults in central southern England, following a hydrotherapy pool refurbishment.

The refurbishment was made possible with the support from Southern Water, financial services company, Sun Life Financial of Canada, and property agents, Vail Williams, who provided the combined sum of £28,000 for the equipment and labour. 

The pool now features colour mixing lights on the ceilings, which can be changed with floating buttons in the pool, LED Pixel strips, which continue into the changing rooms to provide a relaxing, sensory experience before and after children are in the pool; a mirror ball; music speakers; sensory bubble screens and image projectors, which project animals and shapes onto the walls.

Huw Bromage, Activities Team Leader at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: “Hydrotherapy is hugely beneficial to the children and young adults at Naomi House & Jacksplace. It allows children to gain a sense of freedom if they’re usually wheelchair bound, it soothes muscle pain, stretches limbs and promotes a sense of wellbeing. Being able to now combine this with moving lights, music and colours makes the pool the ideal sensory environment.

“The ability to change and move the colours gives children a sense of control, which is hugely important, as a lot of life limited children and young adults don’t have that in their everyday lives. Not all children have the ability to use all of their senses, so the projections, colourful lights, disco ball lights and bubble screens stimulate the senses that they do have, and encourages interaction and engagement. It also provides a relaxing, calm environment, allowing the child or young adult to have a stress-free, happy time.”

Matthew Samuel-Camps, Managing Partner at Vail Williams, said: “We are thrilled that the money raised from the fundraising efforts of our staff for our charity of the year has been put to such good use, providing a much needed resource for the children of Naomi House & Jacksplace. 

“Seeing in practice how this money has been invested is incredibly satisfying and we hope that the children and young people who use it, reap a great deal of joy and comfort from this fantastic new resource.”

Beverley Thompson, Community Engagement manager for Southern Water added: “We are thrilled to be supporting Naomi House & Jacksplace and their work to transform the hydrotherapy pool. The changes are fantastic and we hope the new pool will provide a fun and interactive space for the children and their families to enjoy.” 

A session of hydrotherapy costs £350. This session could allow a child or young adult the chance to swim for the first time, the opportunity to cuddle mum or dad with freedom of movement in the pool, or some vital physiotherapy.

To find out more about Naomi House & Jacksplace, visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk