DEMAND Designer Ehsan Abedi, DEMAND CEO Gary Evans, Student at The Collett School Josh, Dan Dark, SVP and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and Any Gray Sensory Integrations Lead teacher at The Collett School.
In 2015 we designed and made a rocking chair to help students with learning disabilities at The Collett School in Hemel Hempstead to self-regulate during times of stress and sensory overload. The original rocking chair can be seen in our short film:
With sponsorship totalling £5,000 from Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, this June we were able to make and deliver 5 additional rocking chairs with a new and improved design, so that every student in the school will be able to access a chair whenever they need to.
The Sensory Shell Chair provides a sheltered, relaxing and soothing space thanks to the integrated hood and the curved design which encourages and facilitates a gentle rocking motion.
The hood helps both children and adults with sensory processing disorders such as autism to make sense of their world by limiting environmental stimuli. The design is now being produced and sold by DEMAND to support the charity’s other charitable activities helping disabled people across the UK and beyond.
“I was delighted to see the result of the partnership from our support, DEMAND’s ingenuity and Collett School’s original concept that has led to the creation of these unique chairs.” Dan Dark, SVP and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden explains.
“During our visit to Collett School I’ve seen for myself the direct benefits students get from using the chairs. No doubt there will be many other schools who could benefit from adopting this excellent idea.
We would like to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor or fundraise for a Sensory Shell Chair to help a school or group in your area. Please get in touch to find out more or to express your interest.