An exciting refurbishment project has been completed at Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT) to enhance care for patients with learning disabilities.
A sensory room has been created at Byron Court in Billericay to better meet the needs of patients with sensory sensitivities or who are autistic.
The sensory room was created to offer a safe, calming space that enhances emotional wellbeing and was designed in close collaboration with patients being cared for on the unit’s inpatient ward.
Together, staff and patients chose a range of sensory features to create a spacious, immersive environment tailored to support sensory regulation. These include a glowing ball pit, interactive floor projector, water bed, rocking chair, bean bags, fibre optic curtains, tactile fibre optic strands, and bubble tubes. The room also features a diffuser with a choice of calming scents and a personalised music system, enabling patients to customise their experience.
Chelsey Moran, Deputy Ward Manager, said: “This room has become a vital tool in helping patients manage their emotions.
“Patients have told us they find it calming and relaxing, especially during times of distress. They can choose what sensory items to engage with, what music to play, and which scents to use, helping them regain a sense of control in challenging moments.”
Since its opening, the sensory room has been widely used and has proven effective in helping to calm anxieties and reduce agitation. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, the refurbishment has also modernised and brightened the unit, improving the environment for both patients and staff.#
Claire Turner, Ward Manager added: “This transformation has made a real difference. It benefits everyone on the ward. The updated environment has lifted morale and provided staff with another valuable resource to support the people in our care.”
Byron Court is an assessment and treatment centre for patients who with a learning disability, with or without autism and who have a behavioural or mental health need.
The new sensory room reflects Byron Court’s ongoing commitment to patient-centred care and to creating therapeutic environments that meet the individual needs of patients.