We’re thrilled to have funded an overhead hoist system at Firwood High School in Bolton, giving over 40 students with profound and multiple disabilities (PMLD) the ability to access their sensory room fully and safely for the first time.
The school’s sensory room — a vital space for children with complex disabilities — has different levels and raised areas, which made it almost impossible to use a standard mobile hoist safely. For two sixth-form students with complex mobility and medical needs, a mobile hoist simply wasn’t an option at all. The result was that a significant group of students — all wheelchair users — were unable to leave their chairs and enjoy the space fully.
The new H-track overhead hoist system changes that completely. With full reach across the room, every student can now be safely lifted and repositioned anywhere within the space. No part of the room is off-limits.
Shamim Mukadam, a teacher at the school, explains what that means in practice:
“The H tracking in the sensory room has made this fantastic space accessible to our students in a way that wasn’t possible before. The different levels in the space made it almost impossible to use a mobile hoist, which meant half of my class weren’t able to come out of their chairs. The space is now fully accessible and students are able to fully relax and have their postural needs met while they enjoy the sensory room.”
More than access — better learning and greater independence
For students with CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment), being able to explore the room’s lights from the right position makes a real difference to what they can perceive and enjoy. Now that students can be moved safely to the correct vantage point, they’re also able to use switches independently to activate the lights themselves — a meaningful step towards greater autonomy.
Shamim adds:
“The students are now able to explore the lights in the correct position, supporting our CVI learners. They can use the switches now to activate the lights with greater independence. The enjoyment on the students’ faces is wonderful to see.”
The benefits extend beyond the students themselves. Staff can now reposition children more easily and safely, reducing the physical demands and risks that come with manual handling in a complex environment.
Supporting over 40 young people
For children with PMLD, having a fully accessible sensory space is not a luxury — it is an essential part of their learning experience.
As the school’s feedback summarises:
“Having the sensory room fully accessible has greatly enhanced the quality, safety, and inclusivity of learning experiences offered.”
Thanks to this equipment, Friday MOVE sessions are now a space where every student can participate, relax and connect — with the environment, with staff, and with each other.
