Charity seeks urgent funds for ‘vital’ safe space

A Middlesbrough-based charity is urgently seeking funds to create a “vital” safe space.

MAIN, which supports autistic, neurodivergent and learning-disabled children and adults, needs £25,000 to build a sensory-friendly Quiet Room. 

This specially designed space will help those in heightened emotional states by promoting calm, safety and self-regulation.

The Quiet Room will transform an unused storeroom at MAIN’s North Ormesby site into a peaceful haven featuring padded walls and floors made from durable, bite-proof materials, plus a digital skylight displaying soothing visuals. 

Heather Whyman, chief executive of MAIN, said: “Our Quiet Room will be a calm, safe and low-stimulation space designed to support the emotional regulation of the children and young people we work with at MAIN.

“This space will offer an environment where individuals can withdraw when feeling overwhelmed, allowing them time and space to re-regulate, manage emotions and reduce stress in a supportive setting.

“Many of the children we support experience sensory overload that can lead to high levels of distress, sometimes resulting in aggression towards themselves or others.

“By having access to a dedicated space where they can de-escalate safely and in their own time, we can help prevent crisis situations and better support their continued participation at MAIN.

“This space will keep all our children safe and ensures that we can continue with our mission of never turning any child or young person away.”

Heather Whyman, chief executive of MAIN, hopes to raise funds to transform an unused storeroom at MAIN’s North Ormesby site into a sensory-friendly Quiet Room

The new space has been designed by Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects and trustee chair of MAIN.

Pete added: “This facility will be absolutely amazing for the children and young adults that MAIN support and it’s a continued privilege to be involved from both my trusteeship and also as a director at P+HS Architects.”

The charity, which also offers one-to-one support, activities, and advice for families across the region, hopes the Teesside community – including local businesses – will come together to support this essential project benefiting some of the area’s most vulnerable people.

Heather added: “We have such great support from the local community and we know that times are hard for lots of people, but we are a very small charity which relies heavily on donations.

“Everyone who is helping us – everyone from the architect to the building works, public relations to marketing support – is doing it for free simply because they strongly believe it is the right thing to do.

“On behalf of our children and adults and their families, a huge thank you to everyone who has already pledged their support.

“We are more powerful together.”

Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of Education Training Collective and MAIN trustee, added: “Creating a quiet, safe space for children and adults who may be in crisis is more than a project – it could represent a lifeline for someone at a particular time. 

“Any donation, no matter the size, will be helping us reach our goal to build a sanctuary where those in need can find calm and comfort.”

To donate to MAIN, visit www.iammain.org.uk

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