Hi, my name is Jack Shepherd and on September 14th, 2025 at 9:45am, I will be taking on the Worcester City Run Half Marathon to raise funds for Fort Royal Community Primary School and raise awareness around children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Fort Royal is a Specialist Primary School which does amazing work in helping children with a range of Learning, Physical, Social and Emotional needs.

As a father of two amazing little boys, both of whom are autistic—Zachary, who attends nursery, and Finley, who is currently at Fort Royal—I see first-hand the incredible work Fort Royal are doing to support children’s development. I would love to help the school in anyway so that they can continue their great work not just for Finley, but for all the children and families who rely on their support.

The funds raised will help buy books for book nooks and Multisensory equipment for sensory rooms.

Multisensory rooms can be incredibly beneficial for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These spaces are designed to provide a controlled sensory environment that supports learning, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Some of the benefits include;

Sensory Stimulation: These rooms include features like fibre optic lights, bubble tubes, tactile panels, and auditory stimulation items, helping children process sensory information in a structured way.

Emotional Regulation: Many children with SEND find it difficult to regulate their emotions. Sensory rooms offer calming tools like weighted blankets and soft seating areas alongside many other sensory items to help support their regulation.

Improved Focus: For many of our pupils with sensory processing difficulties, these spaces provide a quiet, calm space from overstimulation, allowing them to regulate and return to learning when they are ready.

Social Interaction: Sensory rooms can encourage peer engagement through cooperative play and group activities, fostering communication and relationship-building.

Cognitive and Motor Skill Development: Interactive elements like textured surfaces and light displays help improve hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and sensory processing.

These rooms create a safe and engaging space where children can explore, learn, and develop essential skills in a way that supports their individual sensory needs.

Book nooks provide a calm, structured and engaging space that supports learning and development. They are useful in many ways such as;

Supporting Early Literacy – They create an environment where children can engage with books in a way that builds vocabulary, comprehension, and print awareness, which are essential for learning to read and write.

Providing a Sensory-Friendly Space – Many children with SEND benefit from quiet, cozy spaces that reduce sensory overload and allow them to focus on reading and storytelling.

Boosting Confidence and Independence – A dedicated book nook encourages children to explore books at their own pace, fostering a love for reading and learning.

Encouraging Social and Emotional Learning – Book nooks can help embed social and emotional skill building activities into daily routines, making it easier for children to develop emotional awareness, friendships, and problem-solving skills.

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