Video: Support worker builds sensory space for residents with learning difficulties and autism at Newbury respite home

Bartosz (Bart) Bycynski, a support worker at Baily Thomas House, Newbury, has transformed the house’s unused greenhouse into a sensory space for colleagues and the people they support.

Once full of little more than dead spiders, the greenhouse is now decorated with butterflies, suncatchers, and even a fake aquarium.

When you enter Baily Thomas House, which enables parents and carers to have respite, providing a safe and enabling environment for their family members, the first thing you notice are the decorations. Trails of flowers and bright colours decorate the walls.

They are the efforts of Bart Bycynski, one of the support workers.

Mr Bycynski said: "My manager said if I wanted to decorate the main house, then he was happy for me to do that."

Mr Bycynski then asked if he could do something with an abandoned and delapidated greenhouse that stood in the garden.

His hard work and imagination has resulted in a space that provides aromatherapy, crenotherapy, and calming music, giving the residents a place to relax together.

Mr Bycynski carried out the transofrmation in his own time and the greenhouse has been called 'Logan' for one of the member's of staff who recently had a baby of the same name.

As you walk into the sensory haven, you are surrounded by colour and sound – bird sound effects create a calming environment and reed diffusers provide a pleasant scent.

There is a small fridge for soft drinks and a bowl of sweets, and photographs of family members hang among the shiny ornaments.

"It is wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of our clients when we bring them in here," Bart said.

"They love to come in and just sit on the sofa and enjoy the surroundings."

Mr Bycynski's transformation of the greenhouse has been so successful that he also created a 'beach' area just across from the greenhouse.

"During the warm weather it is nice for our clients to be able to sit outside in a comfortable environment and absorb the sights and sounds.

"I wanted them to feel like this is a real home and create an atmosphere which offers them more than just the basic personal care."

Mr Bycynski said the space is particularly popular in the evening when everything is all lit up.

Mr Bycynski, who moved over from Poland three years ago, works three or four day shifts at the home, before returning to London where he now lives.

"I love working with the people here in Newbury and this project has been so satisfying, seeing the difference it has made to people's lives."