A CHARITY helping children with cerebral palsy has opened a new state-of-the-art sensory room at its premises in Liscard.

Stick'n'Step's new facility, which cost £8,000, was opened by the mayor, Cllr Steve Foulkes, during a ceremony on Friday.

The room was refurbished during February half-term and has become more purpose-built for the needs of children who attend.

It features equipment such as a sound-to-light machine, tactile board and a moveable fibre optic curtain.

The disco ball now has changeable lights and a wireless switchboard and an aromatherapy diffuser has been added to create varying atmospheres.

A wall bar has also been installed so that classroom-based movement tasks can be introduced.

The refurbishment cost £7,600 and was funded by grants from Fence Club, Radio City's Cash for Kids and True Colours Trust.

Stick 'n' Step provides free specialist conductive education and support services to 70 children with cerebral palsy and their families and carers across the North West of England and North Wales.

Conductive education is a non-medical developmental aid that helps young people to learn new skills such as head control, moving around independently, sitting unaided, walking and more.

Kriszti Turner, Early years teacher at Stick 'n' Step, said: "For those who have a more severe form of cerebral palsy, sensory rooms are one of few places where they can really engage with the world around them, so it's important that we have a space that serves the purpose well.

"The new design is clean, spacious and colourful and is so much more user friendly. It has a real visual impact when you walk in – it's very impressive looking.

"The improvements we've made mean that the room can now be better utilised.

"The new fibre optic curtain, for instance, is on a moving rod so we can play peek-a-boo with the children through it or babies can roll underneath it.

"Whereas previously it was mainly used to work with babies and nursery aged children, now small groups and more one-to-one sessions can enjoy it too.

"I am so thrilled with the outcome and I can't wait to get started using the space more often."

Stick'n'Step is one of three organisations to benefit from The Mayor of Wirral's special charity fund this year.

The others are Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Wirral Food Bank.