Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock has officially opened a BT-funded multi-sensory room at St Bernard’s School in Louth, Lincolnshire, which gives young people with physical and learning disabilities the chance to dramatically enhance their quality of life. St Bernard’s School is the 21st school to benefit from the partnership between the Lord’s Taverners and BT since they joined forces in 2010.

St Bernard’s School caters for over 60 students aged 2-19 with a wide range of learning difficulties and encompassing associated difficulties, such as autism, communication difficulties, physical disabilities, profound and multiple disabilities and sensory impairment.

Multi-sensory rooms feature a relaxing and stimulating variety of lights, sounds and textures, which help children with physical and learning disabilities to engage in a learning environment that suits their educational needs. The rooms can result in dramatic benefits to children with sensory impairment, helping enhance development of senses such as hearing, sight, smell and touch.

BT’s partnership with the Lord’s Taverners, which began in 2010, will see multi-sensory equipment installed in at least 26 schools in the UK. With BT pledging to maintain the specially-adapted classrooms until 2020, the lives of more than 18,000 young people with severe disabilities and communication difficulties across the country will be improved thanks to the partnership.

On the opening of St Bernard’s new multi-sensory room, Jonnie Peacock MBE, said:

“I am immensely proud to be a BT ambassador for this project, which is incredibly important in helping to improve the lives of thousands of youngsters with severe disabilities across the UK. I’ve witnessed the positive effect BT Sensory Rooms can have and it’s great that BT and the Lord’s Taverners are helping to create these opportunities for young people with disabilities in Lincolnshire.”

Mark Wolfe, regional board member for BT in the East Midlands, said:

“I am delighted that our partnership with the Lord’s Taverners continues to flourish, with today’s BT sensory room at St Bernard’s school in Lincolnshire opening another step on our journey to improving the lives of thousands of young people with disabilities.”

Paul Robin, Chief Executive of the Lord’s Taverners, added:

“The Lord’s Taverners is dedicated to giving young people a sporting chance so we are delighted to work with BT to try and reach our goal of helping over 18,000 young people with disabilities across the UK by 2020. This new sensory room will benefit the teachers, carers and families of St Bernard’s School’s students and enhance the learning experience and future development of its pupils.”