Can you be a force for good for a Middlesbrough-based charity which is urgently appealing for the north-east business community to unite to raise £25,000 for a ‘vital’ safe space?
MAIN, which supports children and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, have a learning disability or complex needs, urgently needs the funds to create a safe quiet space for children in heightened emotional states.
“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,” says Heather Whyman, CEO of MAIN.
The Quiet Room will play a crucial role in helping to reduce incidents of behaviours that challenge.
“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,” adds Heather.
“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.
“At present, we have several children whose placements are at risk due to the lack of such a space. Without this provision, there is a real danger of breakdown in placements, which places additional stress on families, siblings, and the wider support network. The Quiet Room is not just a physical space, it is a vital part of creating a stable, inclusive and therapeutic environment for our young people to thrive.”
The new space, which will be located within the MAIN site in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, has been designed by Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects, who is also the trustee chair of MAIN. Using his design, the new space will be transformed from an empty storeroom to a peaceful haven by JPS Ltd.
Features of the room will include padded walls, door and floor made from Duratex, which is bite-proof, nail-proof and guaranteed for 15 years, and a digital skylight which can be changed at the push of a button to reflect a blue sky or relaxing hues.
Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects and MAIN trustee chair, said: “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.”
Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of Education Training Collective and MAIN trustee, said: “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.”
Thank you to all who have already pledged their support: P+HS Architects, JPS Ltd, Wolviston Management Group, ATF Supplies, SW Decorators NE, Castle Construction, Tarkett UK, Teesside Family Foundation, Tees Foundation, Care Base, OOK and SASS media. To donate to MAIN, visit www.iammain.org.uk