A Sittingbourne mum has created what she calls a “safe and calm environment” for children with special educational needs (SEN) in the town.

Claire Ionescu, 36, is the owner of Messy Pups Play & Crafts, a messy and sensory playgroup at the Holy Trinity Hall, in Church Street.

The mother of two inaugurated her messy play activities in March 2019, after finding it difficult as a mum to find a job and stay with her sons at the same time.

By opening Messy Pups, she was able to run her independent business and bring her own children along to help out and make friends with other families.

The messy play sessions include playing with sand, flour, Play-Doh, spaghetti, and shaving cream, so babies and toddlers can explore different textures.

Claire’s sessions were interrupted due to the pandemic, but she used the spare time to “come back bigger and better”. She opened again last May, introducing new sensory play sessions.

The 36-year-old began to notice the growing number of autistic and SEN children coming to Messy Pups, which kickstarted her mission of dedicating her business to helping them.

At the moment, sessions are held in a dark room full of colourful lights and illuminated toys, to stimulate youngsters’ interactivity and sensory experience.

“I’ve had a couple of mums coming to me and apologising because their child, who is on the autism spectrum or has SEN, was having meltdowns.

“I then noticed there was nothing like this in Sittingbourne. So I decided to help these children with disabilities as I know sensory experiences helps them massively.

“As a mum, I also want to make sure this calming environment helps parents not to feel alone or need to be looking over their shoulders every five minutes,” Claire said.

More than 10 families attend the sensory playgroup every week, which runs every Monday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Claire hopes to expand her sensory play sessions to adults as well. She will first gain more expertise in SEN and autism care and will run them solo, as she has been doing since opening Messy Pups.

She said: “I don’t think about calling a nurse or specialist as I’ve learned so much already by interacting with them. It’s really hands on.”

“I feel very proud to have built a business that so many families attend and have an enjoyable time. They support me every week and it’s so lovely to see the children and parents interact with one another.

“There have also been so many lovely friendships formed between parents from meeting at my groups.”