Victorian museum opens 'calm space' for visitors

Visitors to a museum who need some time out for peace and quiet can use a room set up as a calm space.

The Sunflower Room at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Telford has been created for people with special educational needs and disabilities, health conditions, and parents who need to breastfeed or bottle-feed children in a quiet place.

The museum in Shropshire recreates everyday life in 1900 and includes Victorian shops, cottages, crafts, trades and food.

It is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which worked with local charity Parents Opening Doors to create the quiet space and was funded by donations from five organisations.

The room has comfortable seating, sensory toys and equipment, sensory tents, ear defenders and baby changing mats, plus other items.

Andrea Nelson, community engagement manager, said: "We are thrilled to offer a calm space where our visitors with additional needs can take some time out.

"Providing the Sunflower Room is one way in which we can be more inclusive and support our local communities."

Karen Davies, the museum trust's interim chief executive, added that it would make a big difference to visitors and ensure that everyone felt welcome.

Funds are still being raised for the facility to continue to improve the room. The project has been selected by the Co-op as one of the causes its members can support this year by voting for it to receive funds.

Sensory bags for visitors with special educational needs and disabilities arrived in December for the annual festive events at the museum.

They included ear defenders, pop fidgets, spiky light-up balls, squeeze balls and a wooden kaleidoscope, and they are designed to soothe visitors who may be stressed, anxious, or agitated from sensory overload.

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