Our Progress.
What began as an ambitious vision to create a dedicated space for children and young people with additional needs is becoming a reality. With the support of our community, volunteers, businesses, grant funders and donors, the former Joys Green Primary School is being transformed into a fully accessible Hub where children can play, learn, grow and thrive.
2025
February
We secure our home
A defining moment for Brody’s Trust. We completed the purchase of the former Joys Green Primary School, giving our vision for a dedicated Sensory Hub a permanent home.
The building would become the foundation for everything that followed: specialist sensory spaces, accessible facilities, family support and somewhere children with additional and complex needs could simply be themselves.
At the time of the purchase, Brody’s Trust had already secured around £90,000 towards equipping the sensory spaces, with an ambitious vision to transform the former school into a resource for families across the Forest of Dean and beyond.
March
Transformation begins outside
Just two weeks after getting started at The Hub, our volunteers were already hard at work tackling years of overgrowth across the grounds.
Huge areas of bramble and ivy were cleared, revealing walls and parts of the site that had previously been hidden. The scale of the work was enormous, with one pile of cleared bramble alone taking up around four parking spaces.
But this wasn't simply about clearing the site. It was the beginning of our ambition to create an accessible outdoor environment, with early ideas including wheelchair-friendly areas, vegetable patches, opportunities to develop life skills and sensory gardens.
June
With plans for The Hub taking shape, our focus turned towards fundraising for the Sensory Room and deciding which areas of the building should be developed first.
It marked the beginning of an intensive period of renovation, fundraising and community support.
July
Our accessible kitchen is completed
Thanks to the incredible support of Symphony Kitchens, our family kitchen was completed.
Featuring height-adjustable facilities and an accessible layout, the kitchen gives families somewhere to prepare food and drinks, accommodate specialist feeding requirements and simply spend time together.
Status: Available to Book
September
The Main Hall is Transformed
One of the first major areas of The Hub to be completed was our Main Hall.
With support from Pro Dec South-West, the space was transformed into a bright, welcoming and flexible area for activities, events and bringing families together.
Status: Completed
October
The Welcome Space opens
The entrance to The Hub became somewhere families could immediately feel at ease.
Our Welcome Space and Lobby was completed and decorated in memory of George, Brody’s friend, creating a tranquil waiting and handover area for families arriving at The Hub.
Status: Completed
A dedicated Meeting Room is completed
With support from Ostratto and BK Fencing, an unused room was transformed into a professional, private Meeting Room.
It gives families somewhere calm and comfortable to meet professionals involved in their child’s care, education or future. The room can also be hired by professionals and organisations, helping generate income to support the charity.
Status: Available to Book
November
The Blackout Sensory Room is completed
A major milestone for Brody’s Trust.
With specialist equipment donated by The Pied Piper Appeal, our Blackout Sensory Room became a safe and controlled environment where children can regulate, relax and explore sensory experiences.
Most importantly, it meant families could begin accessing specialist sensory facilities much closer to home.
Status: Available to Families
2026
January
Nebula Nook is completed
Not every child wants to be in a busy environment.
Nebula Nook was created as a quieter space within The Hub for children who need time to regulate, access one-to-one support or simply step away from a group.
Its calming galaxy-themed environment means children can find somewhere peaceful without their family having to leave The Hub.
Status: Available to Families
February
Front Entrance Completed
Work began on transforming the front entrance to make arriving at The Hub easier for everyone.
The project includes improved ramped access and automatic doors, helping wheelchair users, children using mobility equipment and families with additional access requirements enter the building more safely and independently. The work was made possible through the support of a generous anonymous donor.
Status: Available to Families
April
The Accessible Wet Room becomes available
Our specialist Wet Room became available to families.
Designed as more than simply an accessible toilet, the facility provides a safe and dignified space for children with complex needs, particularly families undergoing adaptations at home or whose existing washing facilities have become unsafe or impractical.
Status: Available to Families
May
Work Begins on the Soft Play Room
Our next major specialist space began taking shape.
The Soft Play Room will provide an accessible, padded environment where children can play safely while developing movement, balance, strength and coordination.
Renovation continued throughout spring as we worked towards bringing the room to life.
Status: We need your help
Making way for what comes next
Another part of The Hub took an important step forward in July as we completely cleared and emptied the upper building, preparing the space for the next stage of its transformation.
Years of accumulated items were removed and the rooms stripped back, giving us a clear starting point for the work ahead. It might not be the most glamorous milestone, but clearing these spaces is an essential part of turning every corner of the former school into something that can benefit children and families.
With the building now empty, we can begin planning and preparing for its future use as the wider Brody’s Trust vision continues to take shape.
Status: Cleared ready for next stage
The Interactive Room moves forward
Planning continued for one of The Hub’s most exciting spaces: our Interactive Room.
Using immersive projection and interactive technology, the room is being designed to create adaptable experiences for children with different sensory, physical and developmental needs.
Status: We need your help
June
Stay & Play begins
The Hub isn't only about building rooms.
In May, we introduced Stay & Play sessions, creating opportunities for families to meet, children to play and parents and carers to connect with people who understand their journey.
These sessions represent an important transition for Brody’s Trust, from building facilities to actively building a community around them.
Status: Supporting Families
Plans begin for an accessible garden
Working with Pete Dowle, planning began for the transformation of the rear garden.
Our ambition is to create a safe and accessible outdoor environment where children can explore, play and experience the outdoors as another part of The Hub.
Status: We need your help
July
A more accessible entrance to The Hub
Another important step towards making every part of The Hub accessible was completed in July, with a new accessible ramp leading to the Main Hall entrance.
The improved approach provides a safer and easier route into the Hall for wheelchair users, children using mobility equipment and families who may find steps difficult to navigate.
It might seem like a simple change, but improvements like this are an essential part of our vision for The Hub: creating a place where accessibility is considered from the moment you arrive.
Status: Completed
