New sensory room opens at Tameside Hospital to support children and families

A brand new sensory room will provide a welcoming and inclusive space for young patients at the Children's Unit at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The newly refurbished room has been transformed thanks to the generosity of Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, supporters, local businesses and volunteers.

It replaces the previous sensory room with modern, accessible equipment designed to better meet the needs of children and young people.

The room was officially opened by the Trust's Chief Executive alongside young patient Mila, who helped cut the ribbon, with a surprise appearance from special guest SpongeBob SquarePants, much to the delight of children, families and staff attending the celebration.

Speaking at the opening, Chief Executive Karen James OBE thanked everyone involved in bringing the project to life.

She said: "This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our hospital, charity, partners and community come together with a shared goal, improving the experience of the children and families who use our services.

"The previous sensory room had served us well over the years, but it had become dated, and some of the equipment was difficult for children to access and fully benefit from.

"Thanks to the generous support of Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, we have been able to transform the space into a welcoming, inclusive and engaging environment that better meets the needs of our patients today."

Photos by Nigel Wood for the Tameside Reporter.
 

Karen paid tribute to the many organisations and individuals who supported the refurbishment, including EQUANS, whose colleagues not only raised funds by completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge but also volunteered their time and skills to strip out and redecorate the room.

She also thanked Accessibility for its generous £1,000 donation towards the project, alongside everyone who donated, fundraised or contributed in any way.

"Every contribution has helped bring this vision to life," she said.

"Most importantly, thank you to our patients and their families. This room has been created with you in mind. We hope it provides a calm, stimulating and enjoyable space where children can play, explore, relax and feel more comfortable during their time with us.

"It is a fantastic addition to our Children's Unit, and a lasting legacy of the kindness and generosity shown by so many local people."

The new sensory room has been carefully designed to support children with a wide range of needs, offering a calming and interactive environment that can help reduce anxiety, encourage play and provide distractions during treatment or recovery.

The project highlights the impact that charitable donations and community support continue to have on improving hospital facilities and enhancing the experience of patients and their families across Tameside and Glossop.