SENSE Scotland’s newest centre for people with a range of disabilities and communication support needs was formally opened last week in Ardrossan.

The honours were carried out by Mrs Chris Weir of The Weir Charitable Trust.

Backing the development with a substantial donation from the Trust, Mrs Weir paid tribute to the work of the organisation in bringing about this state-of-the-art facility. During her visit to TouchBase Ayrshire she met with families and individuals supported by Sense Scotland before unveiling a plaque and declaring the new £900,000 centre officially open.

TouchBase Ayrshire, based next to Ardrossan Library, is Sense Scotland’s newest community resource base which boasts a suite of specialist facilities for people with communication support needs.

Included in the centre is a sensory room with the latest technology, a fully equipped music room and a dedicated art room incorporating spin-art facilities. The multi-functional centre also includes a floor-level accessible trampoline, a fully accessible kitchen and a number of high specification personal care suites with ceiling mounted tracking hoists. A large central activity space which can be used for events and performances commands spectacular views over the marina and to Arran in the distance.

The fully accessible kitchen will offer people supported by Sense Scotland the opportunity to develop their cooking and independent living skills while gaining qualifications through Sense Scotland’s ASDAN programme. The centre also has additional rooms to accommodate seminars, meetings and local workshops.

Future plans include the development of the land around the building into a fully accessible sensory garden.

Speaking at the opening of TouchBase Ayrshire Mrs Chris Weir congratulated everyone involved in the development. She said: “This centre has come into being because of the vision and determination of all those involved with Sense Scotland to make it happen. I offer my congratulations to the Trustees and staff, the people supported and their families and friends. This is your creation of which you should be justifiably proud.”

Andy Kerr, CEO of Sense Scotland said: “We are delighted that Chris Weir has been with us today and performed the official opening of TouchBase Ayrshire. The substantial donation from The Weir Charitable Trust and the support of others means families and the people we support across Ayrshire now have a state-of-the-art community resource base that offers them so many opportunities for development.”

He added: “The development of TouchBase Ayrshire was also possible because of our partnership with North Ayrshire Council who gifted the vacant property to Sense

Scotland in 2014.”

Hazel Gallagher, Sense Scotland’s Registered Manager responsible for the service at TouchBase Ayrshire expressed her excitement about the new centre. She said: “It’s fantastic that we have our own TouchBase here in Ayrshire. Everyone got involved and contributed their ideas during the design stage and we are all delighted with the end product. TouchBase Ayrshire gives us so many more options for developing new activities and enhancing further the quality of the services we provide; it’s such a bright and welcoming space.”