The Big Build – Expanding Our Space for Sensory Discovery
We are delighted to introduce you to The Big Build project, which was first conceived In 2010. With our member numbers growing rapidly and many services now at full capacity, Worcester Snoezelen is entering a transformational period of growth.
A donation of £1 million pounds from the Kildare Trust finally allowed the charity to purchase the leased building and an adjacent plot of land in order to facilitate the expansion of our services. This page will tell you our story throughout the build.
The Plan
The project has been broken down into three stages.
Phase One – Preparation of site
- Securing the site with a new fence.
- Creation of a new temporary car park.
- Moving the Music, Art and office portacabins and storage unit to create the space for Stage 2.
Phase Two – Sensory room expansion
- Improve accessibility through upgrading and refurbishing existing facilities, widening corridors and adding a new lobby area.
- Increase capacity by building a new sensory wing, centralising all sensory spaces and increasing the number of bookable spaces for individuals and groups.
- Enhance the range of sensory experiences offered through offering more diverse activities within 3 new sensory rooms as well as 2 new sensory alcoves.
- Landscape the sensory garden and install new facilities to create a welcoming space. (Subject to planning and further funding.)
Phase Three – Further expansion
At present Phase three planning has not been submitted or approved and full funding has not been secured.
- Creation of a two storey building including large hall suitable for Activity Tuesday and Activity Wednesday.
- A new music room to include a recording studio which is currently inside our portacabins.
- Art and yoga studio spaces to replace portacabin space.
- New office space for staff.
The Story So Far
August 2010 – Conception
The idea for expanding our sensory space was born.
December 2023 – Project Funding
After a £1,000,000 donation from the Kildare Trust, We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone for Worcester Snoezelen. Their contribution have paved the way for a transformative expansion of our facilities. This gift will enable us to enhance our services, creating new spaces for group activities, yoga, and sensory therapy. These improvements will greatly benefit the disabled adults and children who rely on our services.
March 2024 – Purchase of Building
As of Thursday 14th March 2024, with thanks to funding from the Kildare Trust, Worcester Snoezelen are now the proud owners of our wonderful little building in Turnpike Close! As you may be aware, the Snoezelen centre is situated on the very edge of the University of Worcester’s St Johns campus, and we have been tenants of the university for a number of years. Now, after a long process of planning we are finally able to develop our building and our services for our members.
Spring/Summer 2024 – New Fencing and car park
The whole site required new fencing to mark the new boundaries and a temporary car park for staff and visitors was laid down.
August 2024 – Planning Permission Granted
We received the go-ahead from the council to begin construction.
September 2024 – Moving Portacabins
Our temporary portacabins which house our Art/Yoga, Music and Office spaces were relocated to make way for the Phase two build. We will also need to build a new ramp to maintain access to these spaces in their new location on the other side of the site so that we can continue to provide services to our members.
January 2025 – Roof, Solar and Battery installation
A grant was received to install 32 Solar Panels and two Batteries to our centre. This work also required a new roof above the reception. Our centre is electric only and we use a significant amount of electricity, this work not only cuts costs but also ensures we are eco friendly too!
July 2025 – Builders Setup
Barnwood our contractors have arrived and they began preparing the site, installing facilities for workmen and securing the site ready for work to begin.
August 2025 – Breaking Ground
We’ve officially broken ground! We were thrilled to have our official Breaking Ground Ceremony last week to celebrate the beginning of our exciting expansion works! Together with Barnwood, One Ltd and Ward Williams, we put our hard hats on and ventured onto the site! Seeing the works in motion reminds us why we started this journey and it’s incredible to see our vision start to take shape.
September 2025 – Groundworks Finished
Since breaking ground we have made lots of progress. A large project was undertaken to redirect the sewer system around the site. Once this was completed concrete foundations were poured, setting the stage for the construction of the concrete slab for the foundations.
October 2025 – Walls Built
The walls of the new building began to rise, shaping our future spaces. We closed the Green toilet, Blue room, Star Room and Interactive room once this was largely completed so that the roof above them could be removed and replaced!
November 2025 – Roof Replacement
We thought only our Rock School Band could raise the roof… turns out the builders can too! We’ve seen some incredible changes over the last couple of weeks here at the centre. From the temporary closure of our Blue, Interactive and Star Rooms to uncovering some Snoezey history by finding our original logo during the reception area move around, it has been all systems go!
December 2025 – End of year update
The new roof is now water tight and the contractors have started first fixes of electrics and plumbing. The old White room has been stripped bare and a new wall erected for the staff facilities and office space have begun to be erected.
January 2026 – Flooring, Ceilings and everything in between!
We are so excited to share our latest update from our building works! Our new sensory corridor is really coming together with flooring, plastering and painting well under way, it wont be long now!.
