Co-operation Ireland through OUR Generation in parternship with The Sensory Submarine are delighted to offer professionals/practitioners/youth workers working with neurodiverse young people a part day training on best practice for using sensory equipment / sensory rooms. Gain the skills to make your sensory space truly inclusive, therapeutic and engaging!

Who is eligible?

Adults 18+ working with children and young people aged 9-25 in a professional or volunteer capacity. Includes youth workers, communtiy workers, and practitioners.

Overview of the training

The fundamentals of sensory processing and its impact on regulation and engagement- How to recognise signs of sensory overload and support individuals effectively- A breakdown of common sensory room equipment and how to use it with intention- Practical strategies for tailoring sensory experiences to meet specific needs

About The Sensory Submarine:

Led by Grace Magennis, a dedicated mother and occupational therapist, along with the support of Orla, a passionate primary school teacher, our organisation is committed to making sensory play inclusive and accessible for all.

At The Sensory Submarine, we host engaging sensory play sessions and therapeutic groups that cater to children of all abilities, both privately and within educational settings like schools, nurseries, and early years programmes. Our activities range from one to one occupational therapy sessions, to group sensory experiences.

In addition to our group activities, we offer personalised one-to-one consultancy services for infants and children and caregivers of those with Additional Needs or Special Educational Needs (SEN). Our goal is to provide tailored support and guidance, ensuring every child can thrive and fulfill their full potential.

About the PEACEPLUS OUR Generation Project:

OUR Generation is a PEACEPLUS funded project led by Action Mental Health and a cross-border partnership of 9 organisations including Co-operation Ireland, Youth Action NI, Boys & Girls Clubs NI, Donegal Youth Service, PlayBoard NI, Youth Work Ireland, Include Youth, and Ulster University. OUR Generation will focus on delivering impactful initiatives for youth mental health and wellbeing and contribute to peace and reconciliation through cross-border and cross-community initiatives. The project aims to increase mental health literacy, enhance emotional resilience, build leadership skills of CYP and lead research in mental health and the impact of trauma on our communities. The project will incorporate trauma-informed practice and build interpersonal, intrapersonal, and intergroup skills in young people to promote shared learning and diversity. We will work with young people aged 9-25 and key youth workers including any adults working with young people in a professional or volunteer capacity.

Co-operation Ireland's will focus on connecting groups on a cross community and cross border basis based upon common needs and shared interests with the development of activities and training to address issues, specifically around the promotion of emotional resilience, empathy and understanding underpinned by building peace & reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

Maximising the Impact of Sensory Rooms