Sensory room: now open at our Activity & Rehabilitation Centre

Oxford Head Injury Services sensory room

We are very pleased to introduce a new sensory room at our Activity & Rehabilitation Centre (ARC), a calm, flexible space designed to support sensory regulation, emotional wellbeing and rest for people living with acquired brain injury.

For many people affected by brain injury, everyday environments can feel overwhelming. Noise, lighting, busy spaces, or prolonged social interaction can lead to fatigue, anxiety or sensory overload. The new sensory room offers a space for people to pause, reset, and feel safe.

Funded through the generosity of our service user Andy Baker and his charity Play2Give, the room has been developed by Oxford Head Injury Services and guided by lived experience from Andy and other members of our community, alongside our team.

It is adaptable and welcoming with an understanding that everyone’s experience of brain injury is different, and that support needs to be flexible and responsive.

What the sensory room offers

The space provides a low-stimulation environment that people can use in different ways, depending on their needs on the day. Features include comfortable seating, adjustable lighting and sensory elements that can help reduce anxiety and promote calm.

Some people may use the room to step away from busy group activities. Others may use it as a place for quiet reflection, emotional regulation or gentle engagement through music, games or mindfulness-based activities. Importantly, the room allows people to engage at their own pace, without pressure.

For further information on the features the room provides please see here.

Supporting rehabilitation in a holistic way

The sensory room is now an integral part of the wider support we offer at ARC. Alongside our programme of activities, from creative sessions to cooking, gardening and movement, and specialist therapies, the room helps ensure people have access to the right support at the right time. It is also open to our carers who may also benefit from a quiet space to pause and recharge.

Rehabilitation after brain injury is not just about physical recovery. It’s about confidence, emotional wellbeing, identity and feeling understood. Spaces like this play a vital role in supporting all aspects of recovery.

Thank you

We are incredibly grateful to Play2Give and to Andy for making this space possible. The room has been named Andy’s Room in recognition.

As always, we remain committed to doing everything we can to support people affected by brain injury to rebuild their lives in ways that feel right for them. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information on how we could support you or a loved-on. We’d love to hear from you.