Category Archives: Product Highlight

Telling you more about the products in our range.

10 Reasons to choose Rompa’s Aromatherapy Kit

Rompa Aromatherapy KitRompa’s aromatherapy kit is an easy to use compact kit with its own attractive, wooden case that allows the user to store the 12 oils upright. Suitable for a wide range of uses – with the Aroma Stone, Interactive Aroma Panel, Aroma Diffuser Professional, in the bath or for massage.

1. Choice
This comprehensive kit includes 12 different aromas, from Grapefruit and Bergamot, to Tea Tree and Lavender

2. Longevity
As you only need to use a couple of drops each time, this kit typically lasts for 2 to 3 years, if not longer. Oils are bottled just before they are despatched to us

3. Natural
The oils are essential oils – high quality, natural oils – not synthetic, water-based alternatives

4. Ethical
The oils are ethically sourced from all over the world – our supplier has established strong relationships with producers for many years, often through travelling to sites to maintain these links

5. Tested
The oils are tested for quality and a MSDS is available on our website

6. Multi-purpose
Useful for stimulating memories, encouraging appetite, massage, bathing, freshening rooms and masking less pleasant odours … these oils can be used in many different ways. Using an oil in a fan-operated diffuser is both simple and safe.

7. Sensory
Despite having the quickest and most direct route to the brain of all the senses, our sense of smell is often over-looked as many of us use our sense of sight as our primary sense. In order for Multi-Sensory Environments to be truly multi-sensory, aroma should be considered with the other senses, including the vestibular and proprioceptive senses

8. Comforting
Our sense of smell is not only very sensitive and powerful, it is connected to mood, emotions and feelings. Aromas can transport us to our childhood and stimulate memories of loved ones and happy times. Aromas can also be used to distract during treatment and to help maintain connections with individuals when incorporated into massage.

9. Alternative
Akin to the values of Snoezelen®, aromatherapy can be used effectively as an alternative to medication. For example, essential oils such as Lavender and Vetiver can be used to help encourage sleep – safe avenues to explore before resorting to sedatives

10. On trend
Aromatherapy is coming back into vogue, notably in the USA, but also in the UK. Some perfume houses are consciously choosing to use more essential oils in their perfumes to avoid the use of preservatives.

Note: it is recommended that this kit be used by someone who has attended an aromatherapy course (such as ISPA or IFA) and has sufficient knowledge for its safe application.

Multi-Purpose Furniture

Multi-purpose furniture can greatly enhance life for Older Adults suffering from Dementia and other conditions, they not only delight but encourage engagement and interaction which can be extremely fulfilling. We provide a wide range of multi-purpose furniture which we recently had the opportunity to present to clients at Edmund Street – a local activity centre for the elderly and those with additional needs.  The response from the clients to the furniture was extremely heart-warming to watch and we were able to capture some great photography.

Deluxe 8 Colour Wirefree Controller

The 8 way switch provides endless interactive possibilities. It can be wirelessly connected to other furniture in a room, resulting in immersive colour changes at the touch of a button. This acted as a great talking point for colour preferences and helped to reinforce cause and effect. The switch not only acts as visual stimulation but provides audio too, much to the delight of the clients, the switch ‘speaks’ the number on the button when pressed. When linked to the correct software, the switch also plays musical notes when buttons are pressed. This was particularly popular with the clients as they were able to produce high and low notes themselves and to play their own songs.

    

Please click here for more information on our Deluxe 8 Colour Wirefree Controller https://www.rompa.com/8-colour-wirefree-controller-1.html

Grandfather Glow Clock

The first comment we had regarding our Grandfather Glow Clock was how great it looked in a room. It provides a beautiful, classical timepiece with added sensory benefits. The outside of the clock glows in a variety of different colours. When used with the 8 way switch, this provided obvious enjoyment for the clients at Edmund Street.

   

For more information on our Grandfather Glow Clock click here: https://www.olderadults.co.uk/grandfather-glow-clock.html

Infinity Table

The infinity table fitted perfectly around the sofas at Edmund Street and immediately provided a striking and functional centrepiece for a couple of clients to focus on. The LED lights give the illusion of continuation within the table. This proved a hit when paired up with the 8 way colour switch. The colour changes provided a great talking point.

  

For more information on our Infinity Table click here https://www.olderadults.co.uk/infinity-table.html

To find out more about our entire Multi-Purpose furniture range, visit our Older Adults website: https://www.olderadults.co.uk/reminiscence/house-home.html

Understanding Makaton

Makaton Badge

Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech, in spoken word order.

Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign. With Makaton, children and adults can communicate straight away using signs and symbols. Many people then drop the signs or symbols naturally at their own pace, as they develop speech.

Makaton Nursery Rhymes

Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. Almost everything we do involves communication; everyday tasks such as learning at school, asking for food and drink, sorting out problems, making friends and having fun. These all rely on our ability to communicate with each other.

For those who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton really can help. Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them.

Makaton is extremely flexible as it can be personalised to an individual’s needs and used at a level suitable for them.

    • It can be used to:

    • share thoughts, choices and emotions
    • label real objects, pictures, photos and places
    • take part in games and songs
    • listen to, read and tell stories
    • create recipes, menus and shopping lists
    • write letters and messages
    • help people find their way around public buildings.

Makaton Make and Do Activities

Today over a million children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs. Most people start using Makaton as children then naturally stop using the signs and symbols as they no longer need them.

However, some people will need to use Makaton for their whole lives.

The Makaton Charity exists to ensure that everyone living with learning or communication difficulties has the tools and resources they need to communicate. Our nationwide network of over 1,000 licensed Makaton Tutors and Trainers across the UK deliver training to over 30,000 parents, carers and professionals each year.

Makaton National Curriculum Symbols BookOur wide range of printed and electronic resources extends from nursery rhyme DVDs to vocabulary books covering a wide range of subjects. Our vision is a world in which all people with learning or communication difficulties are able to communicate, participate and achieve their potential.

For further information visit makaton.org

Product Focus – Singing Elephant

This little guy stole the hearts of the Rompa team during product training this week. Check out the video below of it in action to see why!

Activate your first switch to make this gorgeous elephant play peek-a-boo and use a second switch to hear the song “Do Your Ears Hang Low” in a cute child’s voice.

Functions with only one switch connected, but most meaningful if two are used as this encourages listening skills, choice, co-operative play and turn-taking. Audible, visual and tactile, with ears that flap.

£39.95+VAT (switches not included)

Find Out More:

https://www.rompa.com/switch-adapted-elephant.html

 

Carddies Awards

What Are Carddies?

What are Carddies?

Raquel & Esther - Creators of Carddies

Raquel & Esther, creators of Carddies, tell their story

Carddies colouring in and play sets are Card People and animals who live in a box: you can bring them to life by colouring them in, giving them names and making up their stories. Carddies are perfect for outings and travel, as well as for play time at home. The toy is self-contained, very portable and durable.

Click Here to Buy Carddies.

Winslow kindly asked me to explain how the Carddies came about, and why they might be suitable for you and your child.

How did Carddies come about?

Carddies are loved by hundreds of children, typically aged 3 to 10, but they started off by chance. I used to make “cardboard people” for my three girls whilst on holiday. I would draw hundreds of little figures (on request), cut them out, and they would colour them in and play with them for HOURS AND DAYS, in fact over several years! They gave the Carddies names, made up stories, songs and games, and treasured them.

Carddies Creators StandingOver time, when I saw other children’s reaction to Carddies, I realised they had wider appeal… The first set I made for other children, was a Victorian family at the request of a little girl; her older brother asked me for a football set. It so happens that the boy has autism and moderate learning difficulties. Although he has poor fine motor skills, he enjoyed colouring in his Carddies and it was good for his imaginary play when he used them to play a football game.

With the involvement and hard work of my sister Esther, we made sure that the Carddies retain all the principles we care about. We wanted the Carddies to be hand drawn (by us!), top quality, Made in the UK, with strong eco credentials; packaging that was compact and sturdy, yet attractive to children so that they would keep their Carddies in a lovely little home… pencils of artist quality… Basically we wanted a toy that as parents we would be happy to buy for our own children.

What is a Carddies set?

Carddies SetEach Carddies set has:
-A theme that appeals to children (Knights, School, Football, Fairies, etc).
– 12 double-sided card figures, 12 colouring pencils, 12 plastic stands, a fold-out scene that also doubles up as a naming card.
-In the case of the Carddies Football set, a little plastic sphere so the child can play a pretend football game.

Colouring in. We made the figures double-sided to extend their colouring-in value and to make them more realistic.
Play value. The stands facilitate play (we realised that although my own children were happy to play with the little people flat, or holding them up, the stands enabled children to move them around as they would other little toy figures).
Imagination. The idea of a fold-out scene to colour in and use as a backdrop came from one of my girls, making the toy similar to a mini-theatre.

Personalising. The idea of a naming card (on the reverse of the scene) first arose from my children always wanting to give the Carddies names.

What makes Carddies special?

We have been delighted to see how the Carddies have appealed to a very wide number of children, including, for example, where attention, verbal or motor skills might be more limited, and also in the case of physical disability.

These are a few of the reactions to the Carddies:

Storytelling/Imagination.

Rebecca, who reviews toys from a disability point of view, (mainly from a child’s perspective), gave Carddies a big thumbs-up, and showed how brilliant they are for play (note the wonderful names she gave the Cavepeople!): http://critiquesandtests.weebly.com/carddies—cavemen-set.html

Educational

We have often been told that Carddies are a valuable educational tool, and could even be useful in therapy:

“These Carddies sets could easily be a great resource in the early years and primary classrooms, with the different themes allowing for a diverse array of storytelling opportunities. Adding the use of simple technology, stories can be developed, supporting language and literacy skills or used as a teaching aide so teachers create their own stories.”

https://ukedchat.com/magazine/

Fine Motor Skills/Creativity/Communication/Sharing.

“I love the idea behind Carddies and feel they would be brilliant for creating social stories for a child on the autism spectrum while encouraging creativity and improvements in fine motor skills… The fact Little man was sent a football theme box of Carddies made all the difference and he had fun actually designing the kits for the players. It was a great way to unleash some inner creativity that he has and he remained on task for a little longer than usual.”

(A Boy With Asperger’s: http://aspergersinfo.wordpress.com/?s=carddies)

If a child needs a bit of help with colouring in, or placing the figures in stands, the toy can be used with the help of an adult, or siblings/friends:

“My son sat colouring for about 15 minutes but because he has poor pencil grip he tends to tire of writing/colouring for longer periods however his 2 1/2 year old sister helped by doing some colouring too while my son kept saying thank you A you good girl!”

(Sarah’s World: http://sarahandc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/carddies-review.html )

Personal connection/collectability value.

A reviewer early on wrote this about her boy whose “attention span with this sort of toy can be quite limited”:

“S has particularly enjoyed his Carddies. He coloured in the background really carefully and some of his characters, making sure that the colours matched on both the back and the front of their clothes. He talked about the different members of his family, and has named some of them on the back of the background, where there are pictures of each character and a space for their name.”

This from another reviewer:

“I bought these Carddies for my 4 1/2 yr old daughter who was finding it hard to settle into school. She enjoyed colouring them in and name tagging them with the names of the children in her class, she has role played the time spent at school through her eyes with them and now knows all the names of the children in her class and is beginning to settle into school. A fantastic toy.”

Relaxing and Absorbing. My friend (whose daughter has ASD) said:

“We were meeting a friend for lunch and L asked if she could take her Carddies with her. She sat yesterday and named them all and wanted to carry on… She sat the entire time in the restaurant colouring them in and placing them in the “ballet classroom”. It was great in so many ways-so quick and neat to store away when the food came, such high quality pencils and colours AND she still has loads to do in terms of colouring and playing!! I will be taking them out with me on future trips!”

L wanted me to tell you “the Carddies are brilliant… I really love them. May many others love them too!!”

On that note, we really hope that you give the Carddies a go!

Carddies are available from Winslow Resources

Constructive Cutlery

Construction Cutlery for Picky Eaters

Construction Cutlery

Construction Cutlery

Unfortunately with toddlers, difficult mealtimes can be a given. How can parents possibly hope to make sure healthy options are included on the plate when some little ones won’t touch anything, let alone something green? With the Construction Cutlery, mealtimes becomes a fun affair instead of a dreaded struggle when their peas turn into gravel and their pasta into building blocks. Adding a little fun to mealtimes gets kids to the table and encourages them to stay there longer, which gives parents an improved chance to fill their tummies with yummy and healthy goodness.

Buy Construction Cutlery

Construction Cutlery Set

Construction Cutlery Set

The folks at Constructive Eating know this because they’ve been there when the struggle was all too real. Parents Carter & Jackie Malcolm couldn’t get their toddler to stay at the table long enough to munch on anything before he was distracted by the draw of his construction equipment toys. The imaginary world where he was in control of building and demolishing anything his heart desired was so much better than the boring reality of eating his fruits and veggies.

He was absolutely obsessed with everything that belonged on a construction site, from cranes and bulldozers to excavators and jackhammers. The stage knew no boundaries. Anything and everything became focused on construction. Before long, their child was asking to put Cheerios on the floor to act as rubble for his bulldozer. This made them ponder…  What if breakfast, lunch and dinner could become “rubble”? What if forks, spoons and pushers were the “machines”? Carter and Jackie put on their entrepreneurial hardhats, designed the fleet of Construction Utensils, and began Constructive Eating.

Since those early days, Constructive Eating has added several award-winning products to

Construction Cutlery Plate

Construction Cutlery Plate

embrace creative play at and away from table. The focus has always been on fostering a fun AND productive mealtime for parents and kids. Especially in children with sensory and developmental disorders, a positive association with food and sitting at the dinner table can be key in overcoming feeding challenges.

What parents say about Construction Cutlery

“My 5 year old son has severe apraxia of speech and autism. We’ve done three years of feeding therapy, countless hours of exercises, and so much begging for him to eat. He has about ten foods he will eat, and that is it.

I ordered the entire eating set thinking it was cute and I figured, it’s $35 let’s just give it a shot. My son just ate yogurt. A food we’ve tried over and over again without success. He just ate it, by himself, no incentives.

Thank you guys so much for making Constructive Cutlery! I was worried it was a fluke or that the novelty would wear off, but it hasn’t!

“He’s currently eating lunch- I put yogurt and peaches on his plate today. Normally that

Construction Cutlery

Construction Cutlery

would result in him refusing to eat anything on the plate. He’s actually ate his yogurt first because he loves the pushing tool so much! Seriously, this product is ingenious.”

Stories like these from parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists overjoy the workers at Constructive Eating Headquarters. Knowing that a small company with an emphasis on quality products, good business practices, and top notch customer service can make such a positive impact on the lives of their customers makes every box that leaves the door with “Constructive Eating” emblazoned in yellow and orange special.

Where is Construction Cutlery Made?

All of Constructive Eating’s products are manufactured in the USA with only the best and safest FDA approved dishwasher and microwave safe materials, so parents can feel good about what they’re giving their kids. Specialty textured easy-grip rubberized handles make it even easier for little hands to lift and hold the utensils, which helps develop fine motor skills.

When parents purchase from Constructive Eating, they’re not just getting cleverly designed and cute utensils, but an entire experience of continually fostering development, fun, and healthy eating with their kids at the dinner table.

The Talkabout Series by Alex Kelly

Alex Kelly Talkabout Books

Alex Kelly

Alex Kelly talks to us about her Talkabout series of books and games for nurturing self estem, social skills and forming friendships.

Can you give us a brief overview of Talkabout?

Talkabout is a complete programme that develops self esteem, social skills and friendship skills. It is based on teaching children in group settings either in school or college but can be adapted to be used on a 1:1 basis or at home. It uses a hierarchical method of developing skills where basic or foundation skills are taught before more complicated skills.

How did Talkabout come about?

The original Talkabout book came about because I was working in a FE college with a large number of young adults with intellectual disabilities and after a year of social skills interventions, and with pre and post assessments on all the students, I noticed a pattern in who was responding well to the social skills groups and who wasn’t.

It all centred around the hierarchy of self awareness coming before non-verbal skills and non-verbal coming before verbal and assertiveness coming last. I decided to put together a programme of intervention for this college based on this hierarchy and thought the name TALKABOUT was quite good!

3 years later and lots of testing and piloting, I decided it was worth publishing. Later on I noticed the link with self esteem and friendship skills so these were added to the hierarchy about 5 years later. After that I realised that what people really want are resources that are right for a specific client group, so we started with writing a Talkabout book aimed at secondary mainstream children and then wrote the Primary series Talkabout for Children because you need very different approaches to different types of children and adults.

What makes your books stand out?

They are the only social skills books that I know of that work through a hierarchy from self-awareness and self-esteem to assertiveness (and now sex and relationships). They are a total package and include all the games and worksheets to work on these skills. they also have term plans which make them very easy to use in schools as they are a scheme of work designed around academic years (I am married to an ex-teacher! So I know what teachers need to make it easy to embed into school life).

Alex Kelly Talkabout Books

The Talkabout  Series

Which features do you think will be most useful to users?

As a busy therapist or teacher, I think the fact that each book is written with them in mind so the sessions are planned, the games are ready to make up and the books are therefore pretty easy to use.

What is the one message you want reader to take away with them?

The Talkabout books have developed over 20 years to be resources that work and that children enjoy. Please don’t dip in and use activities randomly. All of my research and experience has shown me that a hierarchical approach to teaching skills is the most effective. So if necessary start at the beginning and work through for as long as you need to. In this way we are setting children up to succeed not fail.

What are the benefits of using your book in schools and private practice?

Teachers like the Talkabout books because they can work as schemes of work for a whole academic year and the planning has all been done for them. similarly in private practice the fact that it is all planned out, is obviously attractive as it cuts down on planning time.

Are there any factors or adjustments needed for Talkabout to be introduced into a school or private setting?

You  just need a group of people who need work at the same level or who will work well together.

How do you think your books help address SLCN?

Many children with SLCN also struggle with their social skills and with making friends and they can also struggle with their self esteem. So even though my books are not specifically aimed at improving Speech and Language, they are often appropriate resources for children with SLCN.

What are your future plans?

We are writing the second volume of the sex and relationships book this year. We are also doing some research into the effectiveness of Talkabout within schools Finally I am busy writing my theory book on social skills which will cover all the theory behind this subject!

5 Reasons You Should Buy a Snoezelen® Sensory Corner Kit

Bubble Tube Corners

Since their launch last year our Sensory Corner Kits  have been extremely popular. If you are interested in trying sensory here are 5 reasons why should try our Sensory Corner Kits!

#1 It’s everything you need to start your Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environment…

Designed with the customer in mind, the Sensory Corner Kits bring together the most popular sensory products to provide you with a perfect introduction to Snoezelen®. It’s also suitable for any age or ability as the colours are neutral.

We even have 2 options to work with different budgets and preference.

The Original Snoezelen® Bubble Tube Sensory Corner Kit or the Snoezelen® Deluxe Bubble Tube Sensory Corner Kit

#2 In the bedroom, the spare room, the classroom, anywhere you can find a corner…

The space saving design uses a corner of any room meaning that you can provide the effects Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environment in a relatively small space. Perfect for bedrooms, spare spaces, classrooms and more.

#3 Easy to order with a massive £500 saving…

We wanted to make it easy to start a Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory environment. There are so many options available to you that in the past it could have felt like too much effort. We’ve selected the most popular components of sensory rooms put them under 1 easy to order product code and on top of that made it £500 more economical.

Check them out now: The Original Snoezelen® Bubble Tube Sensory Corner Kit or the Snoezelen® Deluxe Bubble Tube Sensory Corner Kit

#4 Easy to install without the need of professional help…

Providing you with products that take very little skill to set up makes it easier and less expensive for you to get up and running with little fuss.

#5 Rompa® quality that you can trust…

Rompa® have been providing Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory products for over 30 years. We’ve been established this long because our products have been built to last. Whilst there are seemingly similar options available on the market take a look at the reviews from our customers why you should choose Rompa®:

5 stars

Amazing

This product is amazing! Although it may be on the high side for price but it’s well worth it! Very strong and beautifully made! If you want all of this equipment it’s worth buying this sensory corner for a great affect.

Jade H – Verified buyer

5 stars

Excellent Product!

I bought this bubble tube for my son’s bedroom. The bubble tube is stunning, very bright lights and plenty of bubbles. Installation was quick and easy.

Kirsty R – Verified Buyer (reviewing the 2m Bubble Tube).

Interested in finding out more about Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environments? Take a look at: https://www.rompa.com/interactive-sensory-room or contact us now to find out more