Creating calm, safe spaces to support people when they need it the most
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 £80,000. This appeal will help create specially designed sensory rooms, and provide portable sensory equipment to support adults, children, and young people across local NHS services.
What is a sensory space?
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.
Together, we can transform care environments to better support patients’ emotional and mental wellbeing
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
With your support, we can create dedicated sensory spaces across our local NHS:
We’re working with teams at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire to fund sensory projects including:
- Mental health inpatient units at Berrywood Hospital
- Crisis outreach teams
- Community dental clinics in Corby, Northampton, and Wellingborough
- Youth justice and prison healthcare
- Trauma therapy rooms in Northampton
- And, in partnership with Kettering General Hospital, a new sensory room in the A&E department
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.
Help create calmer, more supportive spaces for those in distress
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
Do you have a brilliant idea to help us reach our goal? Here are some ways you can get involved:
- Take part in a running event like a marathon, half marathon, or Tough Mudder.
- Organise a skydive or abseil challenge.
- Host a coffee morning, cake sale, or community event.
- Whatever your idea, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Please note: In the event we exceed or fall short of our fundraising targets, funds raised will be allocated to projects as close to the original intention as possible.
