Together, we can create spaces that support patients’ wellbeing and bring comfort during their hospital stay.
Across Northamptonshire, people experiencing mental health challenges often face situations that can feel overwhelming and distressing. Whether it’s in a hospital ward, A&E, or a community mental health setting, the environment can make a huge difference in how someone copes and recovers.
That’s why we’ve launched our Sensory Space Appeal to raise £88,000. This appeal will help create specially designed sensory spaces, and provide portable sensory equipment to support adults, children, and young people across local NHS services.
A sensory space is a calming environment designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. These spaces can often include soothing lighting, comforting textures, gentle sounds, and specialist equipment to help people self-regulate, especially during moments of crisis.
They can be especially valuable for people who are neurodiverse or experiencing intense emotional distress. For someone with autism or PTSD, a sensory space offers a safe alternative to the often harsh and clinical environments of hospitals or public services.
These spaces can often include soothing lighting, comforting textures, gentle sounds, and specialist equipment to help people self-regulate their emotions and moods, especially during moments of crisis.
From reducing anxiety in A&E to providing trauma-informed therapy environments, sensory equipment has already made a measurable difference. With your help, we can reach even more people when they need it most.
We had a sensory room on my ward. It became one of my favourite places to go to when I was distressed or just needed some time out… They also allowed me to recognise early warning signs of me reaching different levels of distress and what sensory work I could do at each level.Patient on Bay Ward
We’re working with teams at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire to fund sensory projects including:
These projects aim to reduce distress, support treatment, and make health services more inclusive and accessible for people who need a calm, therapeutic space to feel safe and heard.
Sensory equipment is already helping to ease anxiety and enhance therapeutic care across our hospitals. Your support can extend this impact – bringing comfort, focus, and reassurance to even more people during difficult times.
Julie (not her real name) came to us in a highly disturbed mental state and had not slept for several days. After admitting her, we put her in the new sensory room, dimmed the lights and let her get comfortable. She fell asleep almost immediately and slept for several hours. That was when we knew using the sensory room was going to help her get better.A member of staff at Berrywood Hospital
This appeal is to raise funds to create calming, interactive sensory rooms across Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire to support children and young people with additional needs during their hospital stay. Any shortfall or surplus to the appeal target will be used to support the projects, related improvements, or where the need is greatest.
Messages to recognise a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or to acknowledge an important faith or cultural celebration, or to simply something like ‘thinking of you’.
A café offering free drinks to people with cancer has re-opened at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) following refurbishment and improvements, thanks to generous donations to Northamptonshire Health Charity.
Help us create a safe, inclusive, and therapeutic play area for children at Northampton General Hospital.
