A new sensory room has officially opened at Springview Hospital, offering a calming and therapeutic space to support the wellbeing of patients across the unit, including those receiving treatment on Oaktrees Ward, a specialist inpatient unit for people with eating disorders from across the North West.
The transformation of the former Occupational Therapy space into a state-of-the-art sensory space was made possible thanks to £13,000 of funding commissioned by EmpowerED, the Eating Disorder Lead Provider Collaborative.
The project was led by Mandy Eardley, Specialist Occupational Therapist, who worked closely with sensory equipment specialists Rompa and CWP Maintenance Supervisor, Aaron Holliday.
"Over the past number of years, we have seen a rise in referrals from individuals on Oaktree’s Ward with neurodivergent needs, such as autism, and those seeking ways to de-escalate or self-soothe,” explained Mandy. This sparked the idea to create a dedicated sensory space that would not only benefit patients on Oaktrees but the wider Springview unit too."
Designed with input from service users through community ward meetings, the new room features calming lights, a projector displaying stars and galaxy patterns, interactive bubble tubes, and a soft seating area. The space was developed to provide a low-stimulus, grounding environment for individuals with a range of needs.
The room is accessible 24/7, with a daily timetable in place for group and one-to-one sessions. Staff are encouraged to book the space or request a tour from a member of the OT team to familiarise themselves with the equipment.
Initial feedback from staff and patients has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how relaxing and beneficial the space already feels.
Susie Walsh, Lead Occupational Therapist, commented: "The creation of this sensory room marks a huge step forward in how we support our patients with complex emotional and sensory needs. We aim to increase the use further with the development of sensory integration assessments and interventions."
EmpowerED praised the project: “We’re delighted to have supported the development of this sensory room. Enhancing therapeutic environments is central to EmpowerED’s vision, and we’re pleased that this investment will benefit so many patients across the unit.”
Mandy added: “I’m proud to see the project come to life. This has been a team effort from start to finish, and we’ve created something that supports the wellbeing of our patients and offers a safe, soothing space for all.”
