CITY mayor Jabba Riaz joined staff at Worcester Snoezelen to cut a special cake marking the centre’s 25th birthday.

The concept of using a multi-sensory environment to provide stimulating surroundings for people with learning disabilities originated in Holland, hence the name.

In 1993, a special school occupied the site on which the Worcester centre – founded by Penny Brazier – now stands, after starting out in an under-used groundsman’s shed.

There are now four sensory ‘Snoezelen’ rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory garden and specialist music and creative arts departments.

Cllr Riaz, speaking during the celebrations on Monday, called the centre and its staff “inspiring” and praised “the fantastic services that they provide for children and adults”.

“When I visited the first time, I saw how calm and effective the environment was for those with learning disabilities.

“To see how happy it can make someone and allow them to often get away from the difficulty of their lives is truly inspirational,” he added.

On Sunday, 41 Snoezelen staff and supporters took part in the Worcester City Run to raise funds for a special sensory bus, which will allow the centre to take its services across the West Midlands.

To mark the occasion, four of those taking part were in a 2.5m long ‘Snoezey Bus’ made from tarpaulin and drain pipes.

Cllr Riaz said: “Not everyone is able to visit the centre and I know that people travel from far away. If they want to take this out to the wider community, then I will back that all the way.”

The centre attracts customers from as far afield as Birmingham and Wolverhampton, with 350 people welcomed per week.

The Turnpike Close-based charity needs around £70,000 for the bus, which it hopes to raise by the end of next year.

Jane Roberts, chief executive, who has worked with the charity for over 20 years, said: “We believe we are unique in offering in one place so much for people with disabilities and additional needs.

“So here we are, 25 years of celebrating life and diversity, sometimes in the face of adversity but always with the knowledge that Snoezelen means so much to so many.”

Visit worcestersnoezelen.org.uk for more information.