New sensory pathway for Thatcham special needs centre Swings & Smiles

A building supplies business is building a brighter future for local charity Swings & Smiles.

Charitable efforts from businesses can make all the difference to local good causes and MKM building supplies is paving the way.

A new sensory pathway was unveiled on July 9 at the special needs centre on Lower Way.

The pathway comes in a variety of materials, creating a multi-sensory experience for those who need it most.

The wheelchair-friendly facility comes with repetitive elements for the children such as panels made of different types of paving blocks.

In addition to these subtle changes there are panels made of cobbles, resin, and grass.

There are even ramp elements for young people to walk over.

In addition to the physical feel, the panels come in a variety of colours for an additional sensory experience.

The build took two weeks to complete and a team of around 35 volunteers to make it what it is now.

The project manager behind the initiative is MKM building supplies’ Damien Goatley.

He picked Swings & Smiles as the company’s ‘Charity of the Year’ as he had a personal connection with its services – through friends.

“Everyone knows this charity and is aware of what they do,” he said.

“You speak to people and they say that their friend or sister or cousin’s child goes there [S&S].

“The idea was that we could do a DIY SOS style project.

“It was a bigger project than expected and on the second Saturday the weather was terrible.

“They [builders] would have been at home if was normal work but this was all in the spirit of helping people.

“They all pulled together and helped out where they could.

“All of the guys are local traders and it was great to see what we had achieved.”

Swings & Smiles CEO Rhonda Nicklin said everyone – including Mr Goatley – that put the project together were extremely humble about their contributions.

She said that their passion was evident through the hours they put into the project.

“We are a local charity,” she said.

“Everything goes into this centre and people can see how the money is spent.

“Every person who helped played down their contribution.

“And Damien's contribution as a project manager, he put in many, many hours.

“This pathway is going to benefit many of our children.”

Mr Goatley thanked many businesses that made the project possible including Northworx Ltd, MCS Property Services, D Leonard Carpentry, Repair & Renovate Ltd, D L Upritchard Builders, Reliable Property Maintenance, DLT Plumbing & Heating and A-Grip.

Other suppliers he thanked were Sundog Hire, Thatcham Skip Hire, Day group – aggregate supply, Bostik for supplying sealants and additives and Haemmerlin UK for supplying wheelbarrows.

He said: “Last but not least we would like to thank all the staff at MKM who gave up their weekends to help with anything they could over the two weekends.”