Bath Central, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton libraries all offer free Sensory Spaces for children or young adults with sensory needs. These spaces are fitted out with sensory lighting and toys, a giant beanbag, a comfy rug and cushions and a blackout tent, and are designed to offer chilled-out spaces in which to relax and decompress.
While everyone is welcome to use the spaces, they are primarily for families and small groups of children, and young adults with sensory needs, offering somewhere to take a sensory break away from the lights and sounds of the main library and the busy outside world.
You don’t have to be a member of the library service to use the sensory spaces
Visitors can book a private session in one of the spaces or call in to the library and join one of the drop-in sessions. More details of each of the spaces and an Eventbrite link to book them can be found on the council’s website at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/library-events
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, explained, “These are very welcome spaces for lots of families and they’re free to use. It’s important that children and young adults with autism or a sensory processing disorder have an opportunity to take a sensory break. We encourage anyone to reserve the sensory spaces in advance, you don’t need to be a member of the library, although obviously we would encourage everyone to join. I’m pleased to say the spaces are already proving very popular.”
For more information and download an accessible guide to all the spaces, visit https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/library-outreach-and-accessibility.