WORK has started on a sensory centre and resource for people of all ages with disabilities – after many years of determined fundraising by a local charity.

After more than 13 years of planning and fundraising by the Pendragon Community Trust, contractors have begun work on the Omega Industrial Village in Northallerton.

The centre will include a main multi-sensory space, a smaller room for one-to-one work, a giant slide, an interactive ball pool and a small café. The centre will have full changing and hoisting facilities.

The centre will offer a wide range of facilities including music therapy, sensory exploration and carers support groups.

The trust is also working closely with Hambleton District Council, who own the land at the rear of the building, to create an outdoor sensory area in the future.

It will be open to people of all ages and with all levels of disability but focusing on those with moderate to profound needs including physical disabilities, Down's syndrome, sensory impairments, autism, asperger’s, cerebral palsy, brain injuries and emotional difficulties.

Development manager Julia Downes said there would be a family focus to the new facility, as siblings often felt left out when so much attention was focused on the person with the special needs.

She said it should also reduce isolation for disabled people and their carers, as well as improve health and wellbeing for people with profound difficulties and family relationships.

“The centre will help people with disabilities to explore the world around them in a safe and stimulating way, promoting awareness, confidence and self-esteem,” she said.

The charity was set up 15 years ago by a group of parents and carers to support people with learning disabilities. It has grown to now include a board of trustees and advisory board members, along with a strong team of supporters and volunteers.

In January 2013 the trust raised enough funds to be able to purchase a building on the Northallerton business estate.

After tendering to local contractors for the building conversion, Tom Willoughby’s was selected and has now begun the 12-week completion programme.

The trust says it received huge local support from many local schools, organisations, businesses and councils in the region.

The project also received a large boost when it received a grant of £70,000 from the Military Community Covenant .The Northallerton-based Kerfoot Group sponsor 50 per cent of Julia Downes salary.

Now the trust is looking to raise £100,000 for specialist equipment for the centre.