The Magic Carpet from SensoryGuru, located in East Sussex, is a revolutionary piece of equipment that opens up a world of opportunities for children who may not have been able to participate in traditional games with their friends or siblings. We were delighted to have had this piece of tech funded for our families to enjoy!

At Demelza, we understand the unique needs of children with a variety of complex medical conditions, which is why we provide a hub in St. Leonards On Sea where families in East Sussex and West Kent can receive one-to-one care and respite. However, we rely on donations and fundraising efforts to continue providing our services to those who need them.

That's why we are incredibly grateful to Catalent Pharma Solutions for funding the Magic Carpet from SensoryGuru, which has quickly become a vital part of what we offer here at Demelza. With the Magic Carpet, the possibilities for interactive play are endless. All you have to do is switch on the unit and an image is projected onto the floor. It's that simple!

General Manager of the Dartford Catalent site, Phil Swanston, said “The Catalent Dartford team feel immensely proud and privileged to partner with Demelza as our chosen charity. We are all immensely humbled by Demelza’s work in providing much needed support and care for children and their families. The Demelza team inspire us to deliver Catalent’s goal of helping people around the world to live better, healthier lives.”

One of the most impressive features of the Magic Carpet is that it is compatible with Tobii eye gaze technology, which means that children who are unable to physically interact with it can control every feature using eye movements. For children who may have limited mobility, this is a game-changer. They can finally play games on level terms with their siblings and experience the joy of interactive play.

There are hundreds of apps preloaded on the Magic Carpet, and you can even create your own. The sensors on the unit detect even the slightest movement, causing an audiovisual response. From wafting away clouds to reveal a picture, to chasing fish around a pond while causing ripples, the interactive experience creates a sensory and educational environment where children can understand cause and effect and distinguish between different actions and reactions. It's a fun and engaging way for children to learn and play for longer periods than ever before.

"At Demelza, we don't receive government funding for equipment," says Phill Harvey, Senior Marketing Manager at Demelza. "We are hugely grateful to Catalent Pharma Solutions for funding the Magic Carpet and to Sensory Guru for installing the equipment. It has helped to enrich the experience of children and families who use our services, and we couldn't be without it now."

Service user Gigi visits Demelza East Sussex and describes using the Magic Carpet as the favourite part of her visit, saying “it relaxes me when my head is busy”. Nurse Donna Mole also describes it as her ‘absolute favourite’ equipment and says that Gigi fell asleep after using it, to the relaxing soundtrack it plays.

The Magic Carpet from SensoryGuru is truly a remarkable piece of technology that is changing the lives of children with complex medical and social needs. It's heartwarming to see how much of a difference this equipment is making, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for inclusive play environments.