The Sensory Space

A calming, comfortable and inclusive breakout space for all ages and neurotypes. It's somewhere to step away from the busy and regulate, to rest, recharge and find a moment of peace.

It has sensory-friendly resources, gentle lighting and a welcoming atmosphere, and it's run by facilitators and volunteers trained in neuro-affirming practice.

The Sensory Space runs at Calm Connect's own sessions and events, and is regularly available at the BEAM youth group. It can also be booked for community organisations' events.

Who it's for?

The Sensory Space is open to everyone at your event. Children, young people and adults can use it, and parents and carers are welcome to come in with the people they support or to take a break themselves. It's also there for anyone who finds busy, noisy places hard going, whether they're neurodivergent, anxious, tired or just need some quiet. Nobody has to explain why they're there.

Where we've been

ParkFest, Woolwich Carnival and the Dockyard Festival. A calm space at large community events

Big Red Bus Club. Arts workshops and neuro-inclusive community days

Woolwich Library. Eight weekly Sensory Space sessions for families

BEAM youth group. Regular sessions for young people

Rose Garden. An event created by Eden Rose and their family and community for SEN parents and carers, siblings and professionals

Rising Minds evenings. Evening events celebrating neurodiversity

Autism Acceptance Month. Musician- and artist-led workshops, zine making and the Sensory Space

Why does it exist?

I remember the first time I imagined the sensory space I've built.

It was in a coaching visualisation session. It felt very real, and I went for it.

I've been creating sensory spaces for neurodivergent families in Charlton and Greenwich ever since, at carnivals, community hubs, arts events and now Woolwich Library.

And there's a moment, an exhale, that happens every time. For each child, each young person, and even the parents and carers in the room.

I know what it feels like to take your young people somewhere and spend the whole time managing. Scanning the room for the looks or the body language that tell you that you and your child are not welcome here.

I built these spaces because my own children need them. Because us grown people need them. Because I need them. Because we are just meant to get on but we can't.  It's a reminder that the world wasn't designed for us. Some we can a bring a little bit of ‘you are welcome here’.

A sensory space isn't soft play with dimmer lights.

It's a deliberate act of saying your nervous system belongs here.

If you want to bring that to your event or community space, I'd love to talk about what that could look like.

Book the Sensory Space for your event

The Sensory Space is a calm breakout area for all ages and neurotypes. People can step away from the busy, rest and recharge, then go back to the event when they're ready.

Since June 2024 we've run more than 40 sessions and welcomed over 1,000 participants at events including ParkFest, Woolwich Carnival and the Dockyard Festival.

What we provide

- A calm space with sensory-friendly resources and gentle lighting

- Facilitators and volunteers trained in neuro-affirming practice, there for the whole session

- Creative activities if you'd like them, such as zines, crafts, music and movement

- A space anyone can use, with no need to explain why they're there

Planning it with you

Before your event we'll talk through your venue, the space you have, how many people you're expecting and how busy or loud it's likely to be. We'll find the best spot for the Sensory Space and agree whether you need one session, several across the day or a regular series.

We've set up at outdoor festivals and carnivals, in libraries and arts venues, at youth groups and at evening events. We've also run weekly programmes, so we can work at any scale.

Events we work with

- Festivals, carnivals and community fun days

- Family days and children's events

- Library, museum and arts venue programmes

- Youth groups and youth events

- Workshops and creative programmes

- Neurodiversity celebrations, such as Autism Acceptance Month

- Conferences and community gatherings

Pricing

Bookings start from £250. This covers set-up, pack-down and trained facilitators. We quote each booking individually, depending on how long your event runs, how many sessions you need, the size of the space and the staffing required.

Get in touch
To book the Sensory Space or ask a question.

Sensory Space Impact Report

From June 2024 to September 2026, the Calm Connect Sensory Space ran 41 sessions across 28 events, reaching 966 participants and creating 53 volunteer opportunities. The difference between events and sessions is because some events were multi-session programmes: six carnival workshops at Woolwich Works, two arts workshops at the Big Red Bus Club, and eight weekly Sensory Space sessions at Woolwich Library.

Impact in brief: The Sensory Space made major community events accessible to neurodivergent people and their families, including ParkFest, Woolwich Carnival and the Dockyard Festival. It gave families regular, familiar support through library sessions, and it celebrated neurodiversity through the Rising Minds evenings and Autism Acceptance Month. It also combined sensory support with creative activities such as zines, carnival crafts, music and dance. Activity grew quickly: 2026 alone accounts for 28 sessions and 541 participants, more than all previous years combined.

The Sensory Space

Who it's for?

Where we've been

Book the Sensory Space for your event

Rowan Pubble
Neurodivergent Coach
Greenwich, London, United Kingdom

Calm Connect CIC Company Number: 17016042

©2026 Calm Connect UK
Website by Deeply Feeling Humans

The Sensory Space

Who it's for?

Where we've been

Book the Sensory Space for your event

Rowan PubbleNeurodivergent CoachGreenwich, London, United Kingdom

Calm Connect CIC Company Number: 17016042©2026 Calm Connect UK Website by Deeply Feeling Humans

Rowan Pubble
Neurodivergent Coach
Greenwich, London, United Kingdom

Calm Connect CIC Company Number: 17016042

©2026 Calm Connect UK
Website by Deeply Feeling Humans