The Dawoodi Bohra community in Birmingham is celebrating the launch of a new £50,000 sensory room at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick. The facility, located within the Paediatric Department, is designed to create a calming and supportive environment for children on the ward.
Purpose of the sensory room
The room is intended for therapeutic play, relaxation, and sensory engagement. It forms part of the clinical care offer and is used by play specialists and physiotherapists to support children's recovery and wellbeing during their inpatient stay. The community collaborated with the hospital and the paediatric care team to enhance paediatric care with sensory provision.
Funding and community involvement
This project was funded through Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra global philanthropic programme. Dr. Yusuf Kaderbhai, program coordinator from the Dawoodi Bohra Community, stated: "Our faith teaches us that caring for the sick is not an act of charity. It is a responsibility. 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."
Hospital perspective
Johnny Shah, Director of Charity at Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, added: "Out of the 200,000 visitors we receive annually at the hospital, around one-sixth are under the age of 18 in Sandwell, Birmingham. We have a high proportion of children with sensory and neurodivergent needs, which makes a sensory room like this incredibly important. It provides a calm space away from the busy hospital environment, helping create an atmosphere that feels more like a family setting rather than a purely medical one."
