New sensory space opened in Lancaster Uni’s Pendle College

A new sensory space for students and staff has been opened in Pendle College at Lancaster University.

The university worked alongside LUSU and student representatives to create the space in Pendle Rooms.

The area aims to provide a safe, calm environment for all members of the university community to regulate the senses with the various furnishings, tools and techniques now available there.

These include noise-cancelling headphones, a bubble wall feature, tactile fidget items and other visual and auditory tools to aid self-regulation.

The new sensory space in Pendle joins those previously installed in Fylde College and the university library.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience and Colleges) Andrew Barker told Lancaster University: “I am absolutely delighted to see the new sensory space in Pendle College open. Our colleges are places where our students should feel that they belong and where they can find a space that meets their differing needs at the right time.

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“Completing it has been a labour of love for Luke, the College Manager working alongside his JCR and supported by Martin, Pendle’s Principal.”

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor also said he and the university staff hope to “build on initiatives like the sensory room” to create a variety of options for students “in the near future”, with college spaces as a focus.

Pendle College’s Principal Martin Colclough also highlighted the importance of the inclusion of these spaces in colleges in particular: “Part of the reason our nine colleges exist is to enhance our student experience and promote inclusivity,” he said. “It’s clear from all feedback received from our community that this new addition is another step in delivering that mission and we look forward to seeing the difference this resource will make.”

The Manager of Pendle College Luke Gacesa said it has been “a pleasure” to work closely with LUSU and other student representatives to develop new and more widely accommodating facilities. He “warmly invite[s] all members of our community to make use of this space” to “reflect, recharge and reset”.

The sensory space in Pendle Rooms is now available to all Lancaster University students and staff between 10am and 10pm. The space can be booked between 10am and 12pm via the university’s room booking system, and otherwise operates on a turn up and use basis outside these times. 

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