To make this happen, we’re raising £60,000 to:

- Redesign clinical environments and waiting areas across Berkshire – reducing overwhelming noises, lights and other sensory triggers. We’ll focus first on the areas we have identified as high priority such as children’s immunisation clinics, CAMHS clinical spaces, memory clinics and inpatient wards in our community hospitals.

- Provide our children’s community services, adult mental health, learning disability and dementia services with 200 Calm Moments sensory distraction boxes across Berkshire Healthcare. These kits will come with sensory equipment, distraction toys and resources to support engagement with treatment by making patients and service users feel safer and less distressed.

For people experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing, the environment around them can make a real difference. Across Berkshire, busy wards and clinical settings can sometimes feel overwhelming and distressing, adding to feelings of anxiety at an already difficult time. By contrast, calm and welcoming spaces can help people feel more settled, supported and better able to cope. Whether in a hospital ward, clinic or community setting, surroundings play a vital role in how someone feels, manages and recovers.

That's why Berkshire Healthcare Charity has launched the Sensory Wellbeing Appeal. We're aiming to raise £60,000 to create specially designed sensory rooms and provide portable sensory resources that can be used across our NHS services for children, young people and adults.

What is a sensory space?

A sensory space is a carefully designed environment that supports relaxation and wellbeing. With calming lights, gentle sounds, comforting textures and specialist equipment, these spaces help people manage overwhelming feelings and restore a sense of calm.

They are particularly valuable for people who are neurodiverse, or for anyone experiencing anxiety, distress or strong emotions. Instead of the often-clinical feel of healthcare settings, sensory spaces offer a safe and reassuring place where people can pause, regulate their emotions and feel more at ease.

Calm Moments

As part of the appeal, we're also launching Calm Moments – a new initiative to provide 200 portable sensory distraction boxes for teams across Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Each box is filled with carefully chosen sensory resources and activities designed to distract, comfort and reassure children and young people during appointments, treatments and procedures. These portable kits can be used wherever care is delivered, helping reduce fear, anxiety and distress while creating more positive healthcare experiences. They are especially beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, communication needs, anxiety, complex health conditions and those receiving palliative care, but can support any child who needs a little extra comfort.

By funding sensory rooms alongside Calm Moments distraction boxes, we're creating both dedicated calming environments and portable support that can reach people wherever they receive care.

With your support, we can:

Create welcoming sensory rooms in hospital and community settings.

Provide 200 Calm Moments sensory distraction boxes for teams across Berkshire.

Make healthcare experiences less frightening and more positive for children, young people and adults.

Give people calm, supportive spaces and resources that promote comfort, dignity and wellbeing.

Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to our £60,000 goal. Together, we can create calmer healthcare environments and ensure that people across Berkshire have access to the sensory support they need, when they need it most.

Donate today and help make good care go further.