Kilwinning woman opens sensory center for children with ASN – Irvine Times

Life’s Little Rainbows on Longford Avenue, founded by Tracy Maguire, had its grand opening on Saturday 19 October.

Tracey is a dance teacher and owns The Dance Depot in Kilwinning where she runs a range of classes.

The new facility is a sensory and play center (Image: Emma Tricker) She has been teaching dance for 30 years and has been based at her Ardrossan location for 13 years.

Earlier this year, she started offering ASN dance lessons after one of her students, five-year-old Emily-Rose Tricker, did not suit the mainstream teaching style.

She then decided to create Life’s Little Rainbows after talking to parents about the lack of activities for their children.

Tracey said: “What are these parents doing after 3pm? I looked around and saw the facilities available in Ayrshire for children and young people with ASN and they are so limited.

The center is right next to Tracy’s dance school (Image: Tracy Maguire) “The opportunity to have the block right next to Dance Depot came up and I thought, let’s look at that and see if I can provide a safe space for people with additional support needs.”

The new facility was opened from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, attended by a large crowd of adults, carers and children.

Inside the hub there is a safety trampoline, sensory toys, a swing, sensory areas and specialized lighting.

Tracey is even attending a course on Saturday 26 October to learn about restorative therapy for the centre.

Tracy hopes the center will be a safe haven for young people with ASN (Image: Emma Tricker) She added: “Personally, I’m just trying to do the best I can, but they were just so overwhelmed and grateful that I gave them this opportunity and it’s really humbling.

“All the parents have been an inspiration because from an outside perspective they are just amazing people who are just trying to fight to give their child the best opportunities possible.”

Life’s Little Rainbows is open seven days a week, 10am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 2pm on weekends.