Santa's elves and helpers have taken time out of their hectic Christmas preparations to transform rooms at University of Galway into a Sensory Friendly Santa's Grotto for children with additional needs.
The team, with some extra help from staff and students from the School of Psychology, turned normally plain college rooms into a winter wonderland where the children received individualised, sensory-friendly gifts from Santa.
More than 40 families attended the two-day event, which has been running since 2017 and organisers hope that other businesses and organisations across Ireland will follow suit.
They plan to publish a freely available 'How to Guide' on setting up similar inclusive and accessible Santa's Grotto events.
Dr Ciara Gunning, Lecturer in Applied Behaviour Analysis, School of Psychology, University of Galway, said: "Visiting Santa is a very special part of every child's Christmas, but it can be difficult for children with additional needs to visit Santa Grottos in busy shopping centres with lots of noise, bright lights and queues.
"The Sensory Friendly Santa's Grotto at University of Galway provides a unique, magical Christmas experience for children with additional needs and their families.
"For some families attending, this is the first time that they have had a chance to visit Santa."
The event is set up to be accessible and inclusive with some "tweaks" to the grotto and the environment.
Santa and his team connect with the families attending in advance to support each child to enjoy their visit at their own pace and in their own way.
The event is sponsored by businesses from around Galway, with donations collected for COPE Galway's Christmas appeal.
Visitors and volunteers donate items for Christmas hampers to support those in need.
