Dear Sir/Madam,
Have you ever heard about Snoezelen therapy? If not I would like to introduce you to another way of giving chlidren, relatives, or the clients you work with, a time out and pure relaxation.
The word Snoezelen, created from the Dutch verbs to sniff and to doze, describes the different methods of using special multi sensory rooms or outdoor areas. Invented in the 80's by the Dutch psychologists, Ad Verheul and Jan Hulsegge, the Snoezelen rooms have been an important part of kindergardens, special schools, day training centres, hospitals and nursing homes wolrdwide. While attending a Snoezelen area a caregiver can use the available equipment to increase awareness in a comfortable environment.
Useful room equipments include:
- A music waterbed
- Bubble tubes: bubbles rising in a colour changing water tube, increasing visual stimulation and the possibility to feel the bubbles vibrating touching the tubes
- Bubble machine: changes the room into an ocean of bubbles in a few minutes, fibre optics, light tubes, effect wheel projector.
- Video projector: to create different light effects and moving images in the room.
- Message equipment and aroma therapy equipment: so that you have a wide range of options in order to find the appropriate care for the person you're attending the room with.
Relaxation for the person stems from audio-visual, tactile and aromatic stimulation. Snoezelen has been used in working cognitive, sensory and physical disabilities. Benefits are noted in visual, auditory and kinaesthetic gains.
In a few weeks the first Irish centre for multi sensory therapy will open it's doors in Galway. In the centre you will find two Snoezelen rooms with a wheelchair suitable environment, which you may use with, or without, a qualified caregiver. The fee for using the rooms will vary between 40 and 80 Euros per hour depending on whether or not a caregiver is needed.
The centre will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (on weekends with appointment) and can be booked online 24hrs a day. Furthermore, Utopia offer a regular changing programme for weekend and evening courses in alternative therapies, as well as different kinds of consultancy regarding Multi-Sensory Therapy.
Looking forward to see you in the centre,
Yours,
Utopia Team