This is a major milestone in my “Building a Neuro-Inclusive Campus” campaign – a student-led initiative shaped directly by your feedback, personal experiences, and research.

The Lounge Space and its sensory rooms provide quiet, comfortable areas with calming lighting, sensory equipment, and resources for relaxation. They are designed for all students, with particular consideration for neurodivergent students, those managing anxiety, or anyone needing a peaceful space to focus, recharge, or unwind. Every decision, from lighting to furniture, was influenced by what students told me they needed, making this project a true reflection of the power of student voices.

Why the Lounge Space Matters

This project began as my own idea, inspired by feedback from neurodivergent students and my own experiences. University environments can often feel overwhelming, and limited access to calm spaces can contribute to burnout and disengagement. In Spring 2024, I launched the Neuro-Inclusive Campus Survey, which highlighted the urgent need for sensory-friendly and accessible spaces. The results were clear:

• Students reported feeling burnt out after just one day of five lessons, with an average rating of 2.24 out of 5.
• 71% said there were not enough peaceful areas on campus to relax and decompress
• 80% agreed that neuro-inclusive spaces are essential for wellbeing and academic success

Students also told me what they wanted in a neuro-inclusive space: adaptable and comfortable furniture, low-stimulation lighting, reduced noise and privacy options, and areas for both individual use and communal connection. All of these requests have been carefully implemented in the Lounge Space.

What the Lounge Space Offers

The Lounge Space includes:

• A communal sensory-friendly lounge for group work and community building
• Private sensory rooms, bookable for one to three students, designed for decompression, stimming, and unmasking
• A Students’ Union–run reception area to ensure students feel supported and welcomed

Each sensory room has been tailored to different sensory needs:

• The Cloud Room – a calm, low-stimulation space for hypersensitive students, with soft lighting, gentle colours, and comfortable seating to create a peaceful retreat
• The Reef Room – a stimulating, playful space for hyposensitive students, with vibrant colours, interactive lighting, and movement-friendly seating to encourage exploration and creativity
• The Forest Room – a balanced space for students who want gentle sensory engagement, with earthy tones, natural materials, and versatile seating for relaxation or focus

By offering sensory rooms and a communal area, the Lounge Space facilitates both private reflection and communal connection.

Building a Neuro-Inclusive Campaign Future

Seeing this idea come to life after all those months of research, collaboration, and planning is such an amazing feeling! The launch of the Lounge Space isn’t just the end of a project; it’s the result of a student-led vision that started with passion and feedback and grew into something really transformative.

The future of this initiative is to gather feedback from the QR codes located in these spaces to assess their impact, and advocate for the expansion of sensory-friendly environments across the Coventry University group.

Additionally, I plan to continue working on the campaign by pursuing other objectives, including continued awareness resources. These resources aim to educate our community on becoming more neuro-inclusive, while also supporting students in working with their brains, reducing burnout, and fostering their ability to thrive.

As your Activities Officer, I am incredibly proud to have led this initiative, but this achievement belongs to all of you who shared your experiences, ideas, support and needs. The Lounge Space is more than a room – it’s a space created with care, powered by collaboration, and built to support every student. I can’t wait for you all to use it, feel supported, and be part of building a truly inclusive campus.

You can join the launch of the Lounge Space on Wednesday 26 November. Details can be found HERE.