Cornwall Sensory Hub

21/01/2026

👀 awesome communication approach for those with visual impairments and complex needs . Now and next boards , choice boards and keyrings 😍

Super excited to have received these from Tactile Tiles today! If you work with or care for children or adults with VI and complex needs make sure you check the out!

28/11/2025

These tactile tiles are an absolutely awesome way to begin a communication journey alongside a child with complex needs . For children with visual impairment it offers a high contrast and tactile approach to core word learning. Washable , long lasting and available in bespoke designs for anything that your child is really motivated to ask for!

28/11/2025

04/10/2025

Beautiful, and so true ❤️

Some described him as “non-verbal.”

That’s a phrase I’ve always had trouble with. “Non-verbal” seems to suggest “without a voice." But Daniel had a voice. It was in the rise and fall of his hums, in the rhythm of the way he tapped the table, in the glance he sometimes gave before darting his eyes away. His voice was there.

For a long time, his humming was just background noise, a familiar noise for someone who had profound and complex disabilities. A voice we heard but didn't respond to. But then as a team we learned about an approach called Intensive Interaction, and we started listening differently.

When Daniel hummed, we hummed too, slightly softer, slightly slower.

I remember vividly the first few times we did this. Daniel would stop. He would look back at us, his eyes wide as if to say, Did you hear that? Did you hear me?

Then he would hum again.

And again, we joined him.

What happened in that moment was simple, but wonderful. For the first time, Daniel’s humming wasn’t something to be ignored. It was something shared. A conversation had begun.

Day by day, we continued this way. We didn’t rush him. We didn’t lead him. We followed, echoed, and gently invited him into moments of connection. Sometimes it was humming. Sometimes it was tapping the table. Sometimes it was just sitting quietly side by side. Over time we noticed a change in Daniel. He began to smile more. He began to hold his gaze longer.

One afternoon, after weeks of this gentle back-and-forth, Daniel leaned toward one of the staff called Lisa, caught her eye, and laughed. A laugh that came from deep in his chest, full and free. We had never heard Daniel laugh before.

Intensive Interaction is not about teaching people to do things our way. It’s about meeting people where they are and celebrating every moment of connection.
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Open Future Learning has a full module on Intensive Interaction, created with leading experts, where stories like Daniel’s come to life and staff can see the approach in action. Visit openfuturelearning.org to learn more.
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ID: Image shows a young man clutching some plastic balls and smiling broadly. Text reads: A conversation in the humming.

25/08/2025

This year, the school summer holidays has kept me busy, designing and creating Niftikit. With my other half, who just happens to be an engineer, we are determined to make everyday equipment brighter and more accessible to all. Watch this space for Nifti Frames and Nifti Clamps coming soon, or check them out @ niftikit.co.uk

08/08/2025

This is a really lovely calm and accessible setting for some sensory, summer fun !

Hoist and change table available! Newquay TR8 4JN

06/06/2025

**UPDATE**
We have received so many applications for these places that we have had to close the enquiry list!
Please keep an eye on our Social Media pages for more opportunities if they become available. For those who have expressed an interest, please bear with us and we will be in touch!

Do you have a child or young person in your care who has:

a physical or learning disability?
mental health barriers?
sensory difficulties?

If so, and you live in Cornwall as a full time resident, then they and up to 4 family members may qualify for a family day here with us!

03/12/2023

Such a fun, festive, sensory afternoon with these beauties . Made me smile all the way home 🎄🎉😍 Thank you Sensory Stars Cornwall and everyone that attended , I hope you had as much fun as me 😊

02/12/2023

Just a snippet of some of the sensory story and music resources ready for the Sensory Stars Cornwall Christmas Party tomorrow 🔔 🎄🎶🧑‍🎄🎉

23/11/2023

I’ll be running a fun Christmas 🎄 themed sensory story 📖 , games 🪂and sensory music 🎶 session @ Sensory Stars Cornwall near Newquay on Sunday the 3rd for children with additional needs! Book your place quick as spaces are limited to a small group.

04/09/2023

What can our sensory story sessions include and why?

Our sensory story and exploration classes engage your small peoples senses through a vast range of different sights , sounds, smells , textures and actions.

A welcome song signifies the start of a session before the story is introduced. We provide carefully planned props and equipment, used throughout the telling of the story, to bring the story to life.

The resources used give meaning and real experience to the different parts of the story. For example, the feel of water sprayers when we hear about splashing in a river, the smell of soil when exploring mud, listening to the snap of sticks in a forest.

In addition, for our very early learners, different massage strokes may be matched to the story, this helps to sooth, calm and build relationships as well as aid digestion and increase oxygen and nutrient flow around the body.

Why sensory?
At birth, our senses are not yet fully developed. They gradually mature as we encounter and explore varied sensory experiences. This information is all gathered in the brain where it creates, develops and strengthens nerve connections to process and respond to their experiences. This results in more complex development of important skills such as hand-eye coordination, language development and problem-solving. It can also stimulate creativity and imagination, and therefore, more overall cognitive development.

Sensory processing is most important in the early years of a child’s life, when the brain grows at a faster rate. It continues to be a valuable learning tool for ALL young children at various stages of development and very much helps and supports the cognitive development and sensory stimulation of children with SEND.