Acorn Lodge is based in Oldbury, this is a purpose built hub for people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.

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The Zone

Interactive floor/wall projector that displays captivating special effects and multimedia content onto the floor or table surface.  The interactive display responds to the slightest movement and puts you in control of the display.

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Surround Sound System

This can be used for sensory stories, general music sessions also for movies.

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Overhead ceiling hoist

This allows participants to be taken out of their wheelchairs in various locations in the room.

 

Non slip waterproof floor mats

These are used daily to give participants the opportunity to come out of their wheelchairs for activities, physio and sleep systems.

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Wedgies/Roll Mats

These are to support postural care whilst our participants are out of their wheelchairs.

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Adult sized Bean Bags and Swing Chair

For participants to relax in, listen to music or watch a movie.

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Sensory Garden

Wheelchair accessible swing for participants to get out and have fun, enjoying the fresh air.

 

Colossus Columns

Great for sensory and interaction. Ranging from 1.6m-2.4m tall this sound sculpture delivers powerful resonant tones and players can feel the sound resonating through their whole body when they reach out and touch the chimes after being struck with the mallets.

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Sansa-Rimba

This outdoor musical instrument is a clever blend of two African instruments; the Sansa (thumb-piano) and a Marimba (xylophone) it is easy to play and a perfect introduction to musical exploration and improvisation and it offers maximum vibration with incredible resonance and durability.

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Specialised Music Equipment

We have a dedicated Music Development Worker, Tom Peel, who has designed, developed and introduced the following musical resources for our participants:

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Sensory Resonance Boards

Working with fabricator and designer Joe Welden of The Lombard Method in Digbeth, we developed two Resonance Boards. These are designed to carry the vibrations from a downward facing speaker at one end across the surface of the whole board for participants to feel. Participants can interact in various ways: by sitting - directly onto the board, or in a chair, by placing their hands on the board or by watching items placed on the board vibrate.

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Music Bottles

These are speakers that are cased and capped with a large plastic bottle, making the speaker for holding, hugging and feeling sounds. The funnelled top to the bottle also generates air pressure that can be felt as puffs of air.

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Sensory Music Balls

Developed with Matthew Evans from Birmingham City University the sensory balls contain a battery powered microprocessor that takes movement information (shaking, spinning, rolling etc) and turns them into MIDI information. So, a roll of the ball translates into a musical scale or a shake of the ball can trigger for a drumbeat. There are many further functions to this that can be developed.

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The waterbed

With music being piped into it, provides vibration and sound, so the music is felt as well as heard.

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Sensory Room

Bubble tubes, projectors and other sensory equipment make this room an enjoyable sensory experience.  The room includes a waterbed with a music speaker installed in the structure to enable the participants to listen and feel the vibrations of their favourite music.

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Shower rooms/toilets

We have three purpose built personal care rooms that support all care needs including shower facilities, ensuring dignity is maintained at all times.

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We are currently in the process of registering Acorn Lodge to be part of the national Changing Places scheme.

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The Acorn Lodge Food Hygiene rating