A NEW sensory room for survivors of domestic abuse has opened in Poole.

The £9,000 sensory room at Poole Refuge contains LED lights, fibre optics, music and a projector.

It was funded by the charity Poole Refuge Helping Hands which was started by refuge supporters Karen and Kevin Norton a year ago.

Karen said: “Sensory rooms can be highly absorbing, providing comfort and calm and an excellent place in which to receive one to one and family therapy and enjoy therapeutic play.

“Recently a young mother came to the refuge with her two small children and an older autistic son. All were traumatised by domestic violence but found the sensory room to be a place for time and space to escape their experiences.”

The charity raised the £9,000 needed to kit out the room by holding fundraising events, securing help from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme, and through the support of local companies such as LV and trusts including the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Foundation and the Ashworth Trust.

The room was officially opened by the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Sean Gabriel.

Poole Refuge is operated by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) with support and funding from the Borough of Poole and offers self-contained and shared flats in confidential locations, with trained and experienced staff available 24-hours a day to provide practical and emotional support to residents.

Rebecca Belaidi of BCHA said: “The sensory room is something we would have only dreamed of having before they came along. As well as providing as perfect place for therapy, residents can simply go in there just to chill out and enjoy a little quiet time, while the children can play safely.”

Poole Refuge Helping Hands has also provided the refuge with a donation room to store and display donations such as clothing, shoes, school uniforms, toys and toiletries etc.

Karen said: “Many women, men and the children flee their abusive environment with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”

“Previously residents had to sort through black bags of donations. Now they have a bright, welcoming room with a kitchenette and seating area, plus rails and storage, so they can take their time and choose the items they need.”

The next project at the refuge will be to transform an outdated kitchen/diner/playroom into a therapy activity and sensory playroom and businesses interest in helping can email karennorton@hotmail.com