Dinton Indoor Climbing Event – 12th October 2025

What a day to remember! On Sunday 12th October, the Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service hosted an adrenaline-pumping indoor climbing event at the fantastic Dinton Activity Centre in Hurst — exclusively for our incredible young adventurers in Years 4 to 7 with hearing loss and vision impairment. From the moment they clipped in, our pupils showed unstoppable courage and determination. They scaled walls with confidence, tackled the speed challenge with lightning-fast moves, and one superstar even earned a spot on the Dinton Activity Centre’s official records board!

With two phenomenal instructors leading the way, the session was not only empowering but also a brilliant opportunity for our young people to connect, laugh, and bond with others who share similar experiences. After conquering the climbs, everyone tucked into delicious food and enjoyed some well-deserved social time.

We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. Well done to all those that took part.

Here are some comments from the attendees about what was their favourite thing about the event:

When I made it to the top.

The timing climb.

Trying to climb as high as I can.

Getting to the top.

The speed wall.

I really liked it. It was great.

I liked the big high walls.

The speed challenge.

 

Cane and Games Event - Autumn 2025

 

 

Berkshire Vision and the Berkshire Sensory Consortium's Habilitation Team recently collaborated on a Cane and Games event. The day celebrated the long cane as a crucial tool for independent mobility for people with a Vision Impairment. We were fortunate to have two of our older pupils share how the cane has positively impacted their lives.

We were delighted to host 10 young people and 9 parents, all of whom engaged enthusiastically in discussions and demonstrations highlighting the benefits and techniques of long cane use. It was a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, build confidence, and reinforce the importance of independent navigation.

The afternoon was an introduction to Goalball. Goalball is a unique and fully inclusive sport, specifically designed for individuals with vision impairment. It allows participants to develop spatial awareness, teamwork, and communication skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Teaching Assistant (TA) Network West November 2025

 

Huge thanks to Highdown School who hosted our West TA Network meeting for Teaching Assistants working with our pupils with vision impairments on 11th November.

The aim of these events is to build networking connections between professionals in order to share good practice to enhance teaching methods and improve student outcomes across the Local Authorities and they are held twice yearly in the East and West of the county.

November’s West meeting was led by QTVI Aimee Warren and QESTA Chihiro Gee and was well supported; with 10 attendees from a range of Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire schools.

We discussed the roles and responsibilities of the professionals involved in the education of children and young people with a vision impairment, sharing the challenges we each face working with limited time and resources.

Attendees appreciated this opportunity to be released from their schools for professional development and left with a renewed vigor for their role and a couple of new technology tips and tricks!

Family Fun Day 2025

On 21st June 2025 Berkshire Sensory Consortium held our Family fun day. The event was a wonderful opportunity for families to meet each other in a relaxed environment and it was lovely to see new connections being made and friendships develop. Face painting and the bungee trampoline proved big hits and even Matilda the tortoise kept making her escape from the hall to have a look. There was something for everyone to enjoy from Lego, football - beat the goalie, arts and crafts, Swings and Smiles resources, the Sensory bus to making popcorn and much more. Our partner organisations - National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), Berkshire Vision and VoluntEars - Volunteering Abroad were there to talk to families.

Thank you to all those that made the day possible, with a special thanks to Beech Lodge school for allowing us to host the event at their fantastic site.

  

    

 

  

 

 

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