The generosity of two local businesses has allowed a Dublin school to buy a pioneering Irish-designed sensory hub, known as a Cubbie, for its pupils and staff.
St James’s Primary School is one of many schools acknowledging the benefits of a Cubbie, an innovative Irish tech business for people who experience sensory stress. Because Cubbie is highly personalised – driven by software and supported by experts – it allows those suffering stress and anxiety to feel more empowered to participate in work, education, and society in less 15 minutes.
A Cubbie Hub is a digital immersive multi-sensory space. It’s an easy-to-use, safe, personalised experience of sound and vision for one person at a time. Results are measurable, predictable, and reliable.
Experts create unique profiles for each person and, with the Cubbie software, provide ongoing support and oversight.
In schools, this means students – especially those who are autistic or have special educational needs – spend substantially more time not just in their lessons, but also allows them to participate fully in their education as a whole.
There are over 100 Cubbies in daily use across Ireland. They are all connected to The Cloud, so anyone with a Cubbie profile and the Cubbie app can activate their personalised program via the Cubbie Hub.
The school was able to buy a Cubbie thanks to the generosity of Walls Construction, one of Ireland’s leading construction companies, which is playing its part in providing much-needed housing in Dublin city centre. In Grand Canal Place, Dublin 8, the company is building Grand Canal Harbour, a large mixed-use development for its client, the Marlet Property Group, that will provide almost 600 homes as well as commercial, retail, and other space.
Without doubt, the completed development will make its mark in this historic part of Dublin. In line with its environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy, Walls also looks to make an impression in the communities in which it does business. As the site is almost adjacent to St James’ Primary School, when Walls heard that the school was fundraising to buy a Cubbie to support their anxious, autistic and SEN students, they were delighted to help.
Further donations towards the Cubbie came from Donore Credit Union.
David McIntyre, Cubbie Inventor and CEO said “Having 2 autistic daughters and being dyslexic I fully understand how difficult it can be to navigate your way successfully through the education process. I invented Cubbie to help my girls spend more time in lessons learning and less in old fashioned sensory rooms which do not meet their needs. I’m delighted to see Walls and Donore Credit Union supporting their communities and setting a standard for other Irish businesses to follow.
Above all, I would like to thank the whole school community who worked so hard and tirelessly to fundraise for their Cubbie. They include Marie from the local community group, Rita at St. James School and her team of SNAs. Without these amazing people and others like them, the education system would be so much more challenging for autistic and neurodivergent pupils”.
Walls spokesperson said “We’re always looking for ways to meaningfully support the communities we work in. ESG initiatives like St. James’s Primary School, where our support goes to a service or equipment that directly benefits the end user, is immensely worthwhile and satisfying”.
Donore Credit Union CEO David McAuley said “Playing our part to support Irish schools with Irish technology fits perfectly with our values. Cubbie is a wonderful invention that is helping everyone when they feel sensory stress be they autistic or not. Donore Credit Union is Ireland’s oldest and for 65 years we operate on the principle of keeping local money local and neighbour helping neighbour. Our members by using the services of their local credit union ensure local clubs, schools and organisations are supported. We are delighted to be involved with this initiative”.
Rita, St James’ SENCO said “Everyone loves the Cubbie, students, teachers, and parents. I’ve actually used it when feeling stressed and been impressed by its calming effect. We are seeing increasing numbers of anxious pupils. Cubbie helps them quickly return to the classroom and have a better day at school. Our huge thanks go to Walls and Donore Credit Union”.
