Work experience at Sensory HQ

by Rose O’Keeffe (Student from Fowey Community College)

For a fifteen year-old such as myself, the prospect of finding somewhere to spend a week in an adult working environment was interesting. I was told last November at school that it was important to develop an understanding knowledge of a company or business, one that would be similar to one I would eventually choose later in life. As I have no idea what I would like to do when I am older, such a decision proved a difficult task: with so many things I wanted to experience, it was hard for me to pick one definite topic.

Fortunately, with only a few months to go, I was introduced to the Sensory Trust by the director, Jane Stoneham. She gave me a brief explanation of what it was actually all about, and it sounded great. The aspect that really appealed to me was the fact that the people involved had come from all different backgrounds of work and qualifications – such as the arts, healthcare and landscape architecture. For someone like me who was unsure of which potential career to take, it meant I could witness a group that combines all their knowledge to create and complete motivating projects to promote equal opportunities for all.

On the first day, I can remember my pleasant surprise at being led into an office with bright and funky décor: orange fleece pinned to the odd wall, and even fluffy fairy-lights strung over every desk! It certainly wasn’t your normal working environment, but as one of my supervisors said, “It’s only right that we practice what we preach.” Indeed, almost everything is available to reach out and touch, smell and taste. This laid-back yet high-geared environment was just what I needed to settle in on the first day, and I was given my own desk to use.

Throughout the five days I was given tasks in real current projects, set by different supervisors each time. One of these included searching on the internet for examples of pictures such as outdoor seating that complied with certain specifications. Another involved taking photos using a digital camera of children’s drawn ideas for their woodland park, in order to write up a report.

Overall, my work experience at the Sensory Trust was highly enjoyable, and there was never a dull moment when I didn’t have something to do. I was unaware of how much the Trust actually did before the placement, but now I fully appreciate how important the senses are to all people: in my naivety I assumed sight or touch were the most vital out of the five. After reading particular books and listening to others, I have realised that different people value different senses (for example, a visually impaired person and a person who uses a wheelchair may have contrasting opinions), and therefore they are all essential in a public area or attraction. I have learned that taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch combined together in a positive way create an environment that seems much more alive, as The Sensory Trust confirms this in their efforts to design and create areas that suit everyone, no matter who or what they are.

The entire week has been a fantastic experience for me, and although all that time ago last November I was sure that whatever placement I chose wouldn’t make a huge difference to me, I was admittedly proved wrong. The Sensory Trust has shown me that improving other peoples’ lives, however greatly, can be hugely rewarding.

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