A winning idea from our Projects of the Year has come to life and it's already making a big difference.
Thanks to funding from the Gardiner Hill Foundation, the NHS Talking Therapies team have transformed one of their therapy rooms at Navigo House into a low-stimulus, sensory-friendly space — designed to support neurodivergent individuals, people who’ve experienced trauma, and anyone who might find a typical clinical environment overwhelming.
The team’s idea was selected as one of our Projects of the Year in 2024 — a scheme that invites staff and community members to pitch ideas they believe could improve mental health services locally. The most popular projects are chosen by Navigo members, with up to £10,000 of funding provided by our official charity, the Gardiner Hill Foundation.
Jacqui Ellis, Gardiner Hill Foundation trustee, said:
“This is what Project of the Year is all about – doing the best thing for our service users. The team have done a brilliant job and the Gardiner Hill Foundation are proud to have been able to fund this project.”
After being selected as the winning project, the NHS Talking Therapies team got straight to work — researching other sensory spaces, gathering ideas, and collaborating with Navigo’s co-production team to involve service users and community members at every stage of planning and design.
The result is a warm, welcoming and flexible space that feels completely different to a standard therapy room.
It’s been designed with adaptability in mind — using removable, cosy curtains covering the walls and portable therapeutic lights so the space can be used either as a regular therapy room or a calming, low-stimulus environment.
The room includes a range of sensory tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, cooling and warming aids, bubble lights to help regulate breathing, aromatherapy oils and grounding treats like mints and sweets.
While the room is ideal for people with neurodiverse conditions, it’s also proven especially helpful for those accessing Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy — a treatment often used for people affected by trauma.
Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from young people aged 16 to 25.
Feedback from people who have used the room:
“The sensory room has helped me feel more relaxed and less anxious when coming into therapy.”
“It’s a much calmer space, and I’ve found it easier to engage in my sessions.”
“I’ve learnt grounding techniques that I can now use at home when I feel overwhelmed.”
This is just the beginning. Inspired by its success, other Navigo services — including CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, also known as Young Minds Matter — are now planning their own sensory room to support young people.
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or low and think talking therapy might help, you can click here to self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.