Charity take a step closer towards sensory centre plan

A charity’s aim to create a sensory centre and social café for children and young people with additional needs has taken a step closer thanks to Vale Royal Crematorium.

The crematorium has presented the Tiny Steps charity with a £5,000 donation in support of its work in the Northwich and Winsford area in Cheshire West and Chester.

The donation was made from the crematorium’s metal recycling scheme.

With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives which benefit the communities that the crematorium serves.

Vale Royal Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 40 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

Tiny Steps started in 2013 after one family felt isolated and unsupported following the birth of their daughter, who was diagnosed with west syndrome and severe learning difficulties.

They quickly discovered that services and support for families like theirs did not exist and felt compelled to change that by creating a supportive, vibrant and stimulating network for families facing similar challenges to them.

Diane Dixon, from Tiny Steps, said:

“Thank you to Vale Royal Crematorium for the generous donation towards our main goal of creating a sensory centre and social café.

“The funds donated will go towards securing a building or land, hopefully in the near future. Being a small charity, every penny donated towards our aim is gratefully received.

“Many families who access our SEN sessions are isolated and even with our exclusive sessions, we can’t meet everyone’s needs.

“We want to be accessible for all and believe we can do that by providing somewhere all the family can go to where they can enjoy being together and feeling like they belong.”

Georgia Hanson, Vale Royal Crematorium Manager, said:

“Providing a supportive network to families who would otherwise feel very isolated makes such a positive difference to the lives of so many.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to give Tiny Steps a donation towards their aim of creating their own sensory centre which will enable them to help even more families in our local communities.”

To find out more about Tiny Steps, visit: 

www.tiny-steps.co.uk

For more information about Vale Royal Crematorium, as well as the exceptional care and support it provides to the bereaved in creating uniquely personal funerals and memorials for their loved ones, visit: 

www.valeroyalcrematorium.co.uk