A sensory soft play centre, thought to be the first in Yorkshire to be aimed specifically at babies and children with a disability, will be opened by the Shadow Chancellor and Morley and Outwood MP this weekend in Dewsbury.

The centre has been set up by Linda Holmes a Morley childminder with 19 years of experience as a childminder.

The aim of Sensory World is to provide a safe, calming and unique specialist environment.  Sensory World will have specialist play equipment designed specifically for babies and children with a disability. There will be lights, sounds, interactive walls, a dark room with water bed for babies. The centre will also have a café for parents and will be available for parties as well as regular groups play sessions.

Centre Owner and Manager, Linda Holmes said, “I’ve been a childminder for 19 years have have cared for a lot of children in that time, including some with additional needs. My own child also had a disability. What you realise is that although there are lots of play gyms and soft play centres, they aren’t always suitable for babies and children with a disability. So I thought I’d set up my own. Children without disabilities will be able to come to Sensory World but the centre is designed with disability in mind.

“I’m really delighted that my own MP and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has agreed to come and open the centre. I’ve worked with Ed a lot over the last few years and I know how much he cares about finding better ways to support children with a disability.”

Morley & Outwood MP and Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls said, “There are lots of brilliant play centres around but having really good facilities specifically for babies and young children with a disability is so important. As Secretary of State, I introduced Every Disabled Child Matters, to protect the rights of disabled children. And over the last few years I’ve also raised lots of money with my marathon running for the disabled children’s charity, Whizz Kidz. So I’m delighted that one of my constituents has set up this specialised Sensory Centre in Dewsbury so that local parents can access good facilities close by. I wish Linda and her team every success.”

Ed will be joined at the event on Saturday by Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dewsbury, Paula Sheriff. Paula said,

“Dewsbury is a brilliant town and a great place for families and young children. But times have been tough in recent years and we need more support for families and young children, including new facilities for the town. So it’s great that Sensory World is opening right here in the town centre because it will give local parents and carers a place to go where children -; including those with disabilities – can play safely.”