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.
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 a dedicated sensory space that will:
We’re working with teams across NHFT (Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) and in partnership with Kettering General Hospital to fund 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.
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.
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.
