Sustainable meets sensory for students at The Vine

High-needs students at Leeds City College have benefitted from a brand new sensory wall, thanks to a collaboration with the college’s upcycling centre. 

The RE: Workshop used refurbished old materials to create bespoke equipment for learners with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) at The Vine campus.

Students and staff at The Vine worked with RE: to design and build a sensory wall over a number of months. The wall boasts touch-sensitive lights, electric drums and projectors.

The Vine provides specialist education for learners with PMLD. Their purpose-built campus  opened in Burmantofts in 2023 and houses a hydrotherapy pool, rebound therapy equipment and specialist sensory rooms. 

Kerry Fisher, Programme Leader at the Vine, said: “It’s really hard for our students to have tailor made objects that are useful to them.

“Usually sensory equipment is very expensive so being able to design bespoke equipment has been amazing.

“With the more complex needs of learners, you can see them engaging with the equipment and tracking the different lights with their eyes which is brilliant.”

The RE: Workshop is dedicated to promoting sustainability and creativity through hands-on learning. They offer a variety of workshops on upcycling and refurbishment of products that would otherwise go to landfill.

Improving mood and emotional regulation 

The sensory wall is the latest product of the partnership between the RE: Workshop and The Vine. 

Recently, the centres worked together to create bespoke accessibility equipment, including two hoist beds and a portable wall padding. This equipment has supported the health care plans of learners and helped to ensure that learners and staff were safe and supported.

In other sessions, RE: have produced sensory musical equipment for the outdoor space such as bongos, rain wheels, a xylophone and finger mazes. This outdoor activity is beneficial for learners in improving mood and emotional regulation through exploring sounds and movement.

RE: Workshop manager, Neil Bostock, said:  

“A particular highlight has been delivering learner sessions. It has been amazing to see the joy these projects have created and just how impactful they can be.

“We are looking forward to working on many more projects together.”

The Vine have submitted their recent projects for the Green Awards UK 2026, which recognise commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable innovation.