A Mansfield care service that supports adults with learning disabilities has transformed and redesigned an unused space into a sensory room, giving its service users a space to enjoy and relax in together.

The sensory room, at Cygnet Sherwood Lodge, on Rufford Colliery Lane, will provide a relaxing and enjoyable space where patients can unwind.

Equipment inside the room was all chosen by the service users themselves. It includes bubble tubes, a scented diffuser, sound machine, mindfulness resources, sensory fidgets, cuddle balls, dimmable and mood lighting, soft furnishings, and infinity mirrors.

Head of care Charlie-Leigh Short said the room would help service users to relax, reduce anxiety, and create a space for service users who may find clinical environments challenging.

She said: “The patients had recognised that they needed a quiet, calming space in the hospital where they could go to self-regulate and relax.

“They explained to staff that sometimes the ward can be overstimulating and result in sensory overload due to the levels of noise and behaviours, which are often common in busy hospital environments.

“We repurposed an old, underused space on the ward, which has now been re-designed to provide a safe space that will improve the overall experience of our service users.

“They have worked collaboratively to help design the space, which aims to provide controlled sensory stimulation through various elements like lighting, sounds, textures, smells, and items for visual and vestibular stimulation, allowing individuals to engage and regulate their senses.

“Everyone has worked incredibly hard to create the sensory room and we’re really looking forward to the positive difference it will make to our service users, staff and the environment.”