Funeral directors gives undertaking to help March-based FACET

A charitable organisation has benefitted from a Community Dividend Award of over £1,200 to help pay for a sensory room.

The award has been made to March-based Facet thanks to the generosity of local undertakers George James & Son (inc Brewins) Funeral Directors.

Jane Turner, assistant general manager was thrilled to receive the cash, and said: “We are trying to make one of our rooms really safe for our more profoundly disabled students, they are the students who are non-verbal and in wheelchairs.

“Being in a wheelchair all day is very hard on the hips, spine and other protruding joints and pressure sores are a possibility. We are in the process of creating a room with a soft floor and walls, along with cushions and bean bags, which would enable the students to be hoisted out of the their chairs and be laid on the floor to stretch, have physio and move around, they would also be able to use the cushions and the bean bags too.

“This will give them a different view of their surroundings, make their day more enjoyable and reduce the risk of sores. We have been using recycled materials to make the room more interactive, but better flooring, would have a massive impact and with the cost of living crisis we are having difficulties affording this.

“Likewise with the computers and screens, we currently have screens in four rooms, but the computers displaying on the screens are no longer able to access the screens with the updated software and operating requirements of the screens.

“We would also like to put a screen in the art room as this would benefit the less able but mobile students there. They would be able to interact with the screen, play bitesize games and create a whole new learning experience.

“Overall getting the cushions, flooring, bean bags, soft wall covering, computers and screens would make a massive difference to the student experience and is something that we certainly could not afford this year, with all the other anticipated outgoings, and so landing the award from George James Funeral Director's has help FACET immensely.”

Brendan Smith, funeral director at George James, said: “It was an honour to help the communities we serve celebrate in our success, by reinvesting our trading profits back into our local communities. By doing this we can see real tangible change and progress made in the areas of need, by the actions we take.

“I'm very humbled that FACET have allowed George James & Son to be a small part in their success.”

Founded in 2002 FACET is a charity with a focus on providing training and day care to adults with disabilities within the Fenland area. They are based in March with shops in Chatteris, March and Whittlesey.

FACET have over 118 students who attend over the course of the week, some for a single session others will attend for up to 10 sessions. FACET also offer 1-1 support if it is required, this would be carried out either by their own highly trained staff, or through the use of external support workers.

FACET offer three main areas within the tuition, providing Horticulture, woodwork and Towards Independence.

If anyone is interested in what FACET has to offer please call 01354 655080 or click www.facet.org.uk for more info.