Children celebrate new acoustic Sound Clouds at Cleethorpes Library Sensory Room

CHILDREN, parents, teachers and support teams gathered this week to celebrate the addition of new acoustic Sound Clouds to the Sensory Room at Lincs Inspire’s Cleethorpes Library.

The improved room was officially opened by five-year-old Ralph, who has benefited from the Sensory Room and the library’s inclusive activities for more than a year. Ralph cut the ribbon and opened the space to a group of excited children.

The Sensory Room offers a quiet retreat and is used regularly by families whose children are affected by hearing loss and other special educational needs (SEN). 

Debra Gregory-Jones, teacher of the deaf for North East Lincolnshire Council’s Educational Team for Hearing and Vision, attends the library’s weekly inclusive play session, and explains that the Sensory room is particularly valuable for children who experience listening fatigue.

“Sometimes the children can’t manage a whole session,” she said. “They can withdraw to the Sensory Room, enjoy a calm and acoustically friendly space, and then come back if they want to. Families can also book sessions during the week for relaxed sensory play.”

The new Sound Clouds that hang from the Sensory’s Room ceiling, were funded through a community-led fundraising effort, initiated by parents attending the library’s Sensory Shake, Rattle and Read session.

Leah Till from Grimsby, is the mum of Ralph. They were both involved in the fundraising efforts and have been attending the library for 18 months.

“We found out Ralph had moderate hearing loss during a routine hearing test,” Leah said. “He now wears hearing aids in both ears. We started coming to the library’s inclusive play sessions before he had them, and through that journey he has learned to listen to the music, play along with other children and follow routines. Ralph is absolutely thriving now, and I’m so grateful for this safe space where he can meet like-minded friends.”

Leah added that Ralph particularly enjoys the Sensory Room’s interactive toys, sensory tent and reading resources.

“When he’s in the Sensory Room, he turns into a different child,” she said. “He loves toys that make noise and vibrations, and he really enjoys reading and using finger puppets.”

The Sounds Clouds now make this room even more acoustically friendly and have been manufactured by Somerset-based company The Woolly Shepherd. Suspended from the ceiling, they absorb sound across their entire surface area, reducing noise and reverberation within the room.

“Since we’ve had these Sound Clouds, it’s a completely different space sound-wise,” Debra added. “It’s made such a positive difference for listening.”

Children who took part in the fundraising efforts were celebrated at the launch event and awarded trophies in recognition of their efforts to support the library and improve the Sensory Room.

Anna Brader, operations manager at Lincs Inspire Libraries, said the improvements reflect a wider commitment to supporting the SEN community.

“As a library service, we’ve been on a SEN journey and are always looking at ways to do more,” she said. “The Sensory Room offers a private and welcoming space for SEN families and adults. The new Sound Clouds make such a difference, and we’re incredibly grateful to the children and parents who took part in the sponsored walk to make this possible.”

To find out more about the library’s Sensory Room, or sensory group activities, visit www.lincsinspire.com/sensory-room or call Cleethorpes Library on (01472) 323650.

The Sensory Room is available to hire and, whilst everyone is welcome to use the room, it is primarily for families with children or young adults with sensory needs. The room and some equipment may also be suitable for adults with dementia.