In a world of screens and stress, a Jersey therapist is encouraging Islanders to find balance through movement, and has opened a new sensory centre designed to boost wellbeing for all ages.
Founded by sensory health coach Anne Laure Jackson, Santé Sensory Centre is an inclusive environment in David Place, St Helier, featuring everything from gym balls to crash pads, scooter boards, bounce pads and swings.
Express caught up with Anne to learn more about her vision to help Jersey “thrive in sensory health”…
What inspired you to establish Santé Sensory Centre in Jersey?
Covid changed lots of things. The online Sensory Super System I’d been developing since 2016 took off around the world during the pandemic, but I wasn’t sure if I would open up a physical therapy space again.
My things then went into storage, and I needed to choose what I was going to do – sell up and concentrate on the online aspect, or use the equipment that I’d spent thousands of pounds on over the last 20 years for something good, but I chose the latter!
Not only do I have a passion to help equip and empower others to thrive in sensory health, but I have a passion for strengthening families as I have loved parenting my three, now grown, boys.
Combining my passions to help serve and provide a space for families to have good times together while helping meet their sensory needs and affordably have fun times seemed like a dream to me.
How did your background in occupational therapy shape the design of the centre and the services you offer?
As an Advanced Practitioner in Ayres Sensory Integration, I wanted to concentrate on the sensory integration aspect of sensory.
This prioritises the tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive senses – which are our touch and movement senses – hence why I’ve focused more on the swings and physical fun rather than bubble lamps and things you watch only.
What range of services do you offer, and how do they differ from standard sensory play or occupational therapy facilities?
I believe that parents, carers and caring staff members are the best people who tune into individual needs.
It takes time for me to get to know someone, so I think it’s more beneficial to train those who have a deep commitment to someone to learn how to bring out the best in the individual, rather than paying for my time to build my own therapeutic relationship with them.
I do offer private sessions, but I will never have a lasting relationship with someone in the same way that others will.
What kinds of sensory play equipment and design features are included in the centre, and what were the most important aspects to you when creating an inclusive and calming space?
Scooterboards, gym balls, crash pads, bounce pads and swings of all types and shapes and sizes were important for how good this sensory input is helping people feel calm, regulated, and develop their coordination and confidence.
There are also quieter games such as Jenga, Twister, cards and puzzles which focus on fine motor development, visual processing and concentration.
Everyone feels good when we can challenge ourselves and succeed at something – this is what the space is for – calculated risk and success, and so people leave the space feeling on top of the world and happy.
Who is the centre designed for, and are there any particular groups or communities you’re most passionate about supporting?
The space is designed for families and friends who want to have a screen-free good time together.
It’s also for organisations, clubs and schools to use when supporting those for whom the school environment may not be the best sensory fit, but they will learn and enjoy coming here.
I love to support families – with children, grown children or older relatives who are autistic, have ADHD, are clumsy or just don’t have somewhere to take them – especially those who want a private, quiet, controllable and safe space.
We’re all sensory beings – babies, teens, adults and older people, so I’d love everyone to feel free to use the space.
How do you ensure the space is welcoming and caters to a wide range of sensory needs?
Members can choose if they want private use of the space to control the lights, sounds and activities, or if they want to join other members in a more social space to meet and mingle with others – but be less in control of the environment.
Members can sit and have a quiet game of pop-pirate or dominoes, or go mad and jump and crash about and make obstacle courses galore.
I don’t know of anywhere on the island that anyone can join as a family membership for £1 a day for unlimited use and free tea and coffee.
The building is listed, so there are no wheelchair accessible toilets, and there are 2 steps up to the front door.
This is something that doesn’t sit so well with me that the centre can’t meet all needs at the moment – but we all have to start somewhere!
How have families and Islanders responded to the centre and its services so far?
It’s all a bit of a new concept and I’ve had lots of questions about how it all works, but it’s been really well received and so many positive comments and “wows” as they come through the door!
You see, people let themselves in and have the place to themselves when they become members, or share with a few other families.
It’s built on trust and mutual respect as the members care for the space and equipment themselves, so it will take a little time to spread the word about a new way of doing things.
People let themselves in, clean up after themselves and lock themselves out so my belief and confidence in wanting to believe the best in humanity is being stretched – but I wouldn’t want it any other way!
I’d rather take the risk instead of playing it safe, for the sake of providing something precious for people instead of not opening up at all, and instead keeping it as a private therapy space for me only to use.
It’s not just for families though, it is available for respite services, holiday clubs, nurseries, charities and schools and team building days for businesses can all use the space.
Why do you think Jersey has needed for the centre and what impact do you hope it will have on the wider community?
I really hope it will meet lots of people’s needs within the community of all ages.
I also hope it will help strengthen families and provide a place for them to come and build a stronger bond and great memories together – come rain or shine.
Strong families are the bedrock of a thriving island, so I think it’s important to do everything we can, especially for those with neurodivergent family members, to help that process.
What’s coming next? Further extensions or other locations of the existing centre, new services, workshops, or digital support?
The Education Department has already commissioned the Sensory Super System to be available for every staff member and parent in a government school or homeschool to have immediate access to the online training, equipping and mentoring service for sensory needs.
We have an up coming meeting planned with the Health Minister Tom Binet and the Health Department to look at how the Sensory Super System can serve the rest of the island too.
We all need to know how to thrive in Sensory Health.
In time, I’d love to open up a wheelchair accessible centre in the east and west of the island too, to save people coming into town.
The equipment will need to be replaced on a fairly frequent basis, so I have a list of all new things that I’d like to get in time.
I’m so looking forward to seeing how Sensory Health Services and the new centre can help the people of Jersey thrive in sensory health, hope and freedom.