IT WAS a special moment for Cumbria’s only children’s hospice after businesses united to help create a sensory corridor.

A host of businesses worked together to transform an empty space at Jigsaw, on Durdar Road, Carlisle, into a sensory experience for the children and young adults it cares for.

In recent months staff from Center Parcs, Yesss Electrical, Travis Perkins, Bell Group and PPG have donated their time, skills and products to help create the bright and interactive space.

In early December, staff from Jigsaw officially opened the sensory corridor and welcomed back the local companies who helped to transform the space.

The interactive corridor now includes light-up trees on the wall, lightboxes in the ceiling and artificial grass, mirrors and pictures along the walls.

The corridor now provides the children and young adults with more activities to engage with while being cared for.

The clinical lead at Jigsaw, Suzanne Garbarino-Danson, explained: “The corridor in Jigsaw between the bedrooms and smoothie bar was a large, empty space which was rather dull and dark.

“Many children who attend Jigsaw sometimes need to be on their bed a lot of the time and when they are being transported all they see if a blank ceiling, there is very little stimulation and it can be disorientating.”

Andrew Roberts, Yesss Electrical branch manager, said: “It was a pleasure and honour to help out.

“We really enjoyed being involved and working together with other companies to bring this together.”

Receiving more support than expected, Jacqui Clapperton, the hospice’s activities coordinator, added: “The support from businesses surpassed my expectations on what we could achieve and together.

“I think we have created a pretty amazing space.”

Jigsaw is the children’s hospice for Cumbria and provides unique care and support for children and young adults with life-limiting illnesses.

To find out how you can support Jigsaw visit www.jigsawhospice.org