A new sensory room has opened for young patients admitted to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in Smethwick.
The project was funded through Project Rise, which is the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic programme, which has previously supported healthcare and welfare initiatives in the UK and globally.
The Birmingham Bohra community collaborated with the hospital and the paediatric care team to supplement paediatric care with sensory provision at MMUH.
The facility, located within one of the West Midlands’ newest NHS hospitals, aims to create a calmer and more comforting environment for young patients and their families.
Designed to provide opportunities for play, relaxation and sensory engagement, the room offers children a space away from the clinical setting of wards and treatment areas.
Young patients who cannot leave their beds will be provided with mobile sensory units that can be brought to the bedside.
According to the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, hospital environments can often be overwhelming for children due to unfamiliar surroundings, medical equipment and heightened anxiety.
Sensory rooms are increasingly being incorporated into healthcare facilities to help reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing during treatment and recovery.
The new room at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital forms part of wider efforts to create more patient-centred healthcare environments within NHS facilities.
The project highlights collaboration between healthcare providers and community organisations to enhance hospital spaces for patients.
“A hospital is a place where no one wishes to be, but facilities like this, provided by the Dawoodi Bohra community, bring much-needed comfort and reassurance. It is especially inspiring to see what a community of just 185 households has been able to achieve,” Doug Wright, Deputy Lieutenant and MBE.
The initiative also reflects a growing focus across healthcare design on improving patient experience through dedicated wellbeing spaces.
“We believe that true wellbeing encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions. This room is designed to support all three, creating an environment where children feel calm, safe, and supported during their care,” said Dr. Yusuf Kaderbhai, Programme Coordinator, Dawoodi Bohra Community Birmingham.