Member Article

Teesside graduates taking patients on a ‘Sensory Voyage’

Patients with debilitating conditions are now able to experience the sensory delights of an exciting day out thanks to a new business founded by two Teesside University graduates.

Olivia Gilgunn and Emma Wilson have launched Sensory Voyages, a business which brings the sights, sounds, textures and even smells of a variety of different experiences to people who would ordinarily be unable to enjoy them.

The pair have just finished a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy at Teesside University and came up with the idea for the business following a project they completed in their final year.

Students were asked to do a ‘role emerging’ placement in a situation where there is no existing occupational therapy input.

Olivia and Emma worked at a residential home for adults with neurological conditions and devised a group activity which brought the sensory experiences of a day at the beach to the residents.

The activity was designed to relax and stimulate participants and also encourage them to reminisce.

As a story was read out, at various points the group were encouraged to interact with a variety of objects in a sensory box, such as sand and other tactile objects, as well as hearing seaside noises and watching footage of waves on a beach.

At the end of the story, they were encouraged to talk about what they had experienced and share memories.

Olivia, 21, from Manorhamilton in County Leitrim in the Republic of Ireland, said: “What we found was that the story acted like a kind of catalyst.

“Everybody reacted to it slightly differently and the sensory stimulation helped to make the story more alive.

“When the placement came to an end we saw the benefits it brought and thought that maybe we could take it a step further.”

The pair took advice from Teesside University’s graduate enterprise team and have set up Sensory Voyages.

They are already working with several clients and are working to tailor the sensory boxes to each individual group’s specific requirements.

As well as the beach voyage, they have compiled several other sensory ‘days out’. They are also exploring the possibility of registering the company as a social enterprise.

Emma, 26, from Middlesbrough, added: “We don’t think there’s anything like this out there. It really helps improve the quality of life for the people we work with and gives them something to focus on.

“It can be applicable to so many different people of all ages and needs - from people with dementia to young children.

“It’s very client-centred and we can work with them to deliver what they want.”

Cath Wright, senior lecturer in Occupational Therapy, said: “The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy here at Teesside was designed to help students to develop the skills to demonstrate how occupational therapy could be used in role emerging areas of practice.

“This is important so that graduates can sell their skills and show how employable they are.

“We are very proud of Olivia and Emma, who have found a gap in the market and are demonstrating the entrepreneurial skills we value. We wish them every success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Teesside University .