Pupils with profound and complex disabilities at Elms Bank Special Needs School in Bury are benefiting from a specialist Acheeva postural support bed, thanks to generous support from The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund (Manchester), Next, the Boshier-Hinton Foundation, Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, and Frenkel Topping.
The bed is used daily by around five pupils, providing a safe and comfortable alternative to their usual specialist seating and giving them more opportunities to change position throughout the school day.
For pupils with complex physical needs, being able to change position comfortably is an important part of managing their postural needs. The Acheeva bed can be adjusted to allow pupils to lie flat, recline or sit more upright, according to their individual requirements.
Supporting learning and communication
The bed has been designed to support much more than pupils’ physical comfort.
Its integrated tray and iPad arm allow pupils to continue accessing learning activities, communication technology and sensory resources while using the bed. This means changing position does not have to mean stepping away from the activities and interactions that are an important part of the school day.
Staff have also found that pupils can comfortably use other postural equipment, including gaiters and splints, while on the bed.
The team has noticed that pupils are more relaxed, settled and engaged when using it.
Creating more opportunities to take part
For children with profound and complex physical needs, relatively simple changes to their environment can make a significant difference to how they experience their day.
The Acheeva bed gives pupils another option when they need to move out of their usual seating. Rather than having to stop what they are doing, they can continue to learn, communicate and interact with the people around them while being supported in a different position.
This can help create more opportunities for pupils to participate comfortably in the everyday experiences that make up school life.
Thank you to our funders
We are incredibly grateful to The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund (Manchester), Next, the Boshier-Hinton Foundation, Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust and Frenkel Topping for helping us provide this specialist equipment.
Their support is helping pupils at Elms Bank School to be more comfortable, better supported and included in their school day.
To see the difference the Acheeva bed is making for one pupil in particular, read Zachariah’s Story.
