Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust working with their charity, Raising Health, have launched sensory bags across their community and mental health inpatient wards and services in a bid to further support autistic people and people with a learning disability.
The initiative has been designed to offer comfort and reduce stress for autistic people and people with a learning disability when they are accessing LPT’s services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). These communities often have sensory needs and find louder healthcare environments overwhelming causing them heightened anxiety and stress. To tackle this, LPT has teamed up with its charity Raising Health to fund 500 sensory bags.
Magdalena Korytkowska, Raising Health Fundraising Manager said:
“I’m proud that the charity is able to support the sensory bags through the donations we receive. This project will improve the experience for so many when they are using the health services, including the community hospitals and mental health inpatient wards provided by LPT.
“Raising Health are involved in numerous sensory projects across the Trust and most recently we have successfully completed appeal for a sensory room at the Beacon Unit. We are currently proactively fundraising for other sensory spaces which continue to make a difference to all our service users. (https://www.raisinghealth.org.uk/appeals/sensory-spaces-appeal-).”
The bags include ear defenders, an eye mask, a sensory bracelet, a fidget toy and a colouring book with pencils. Each bag also has an easy-read patient information leaflet, so it is accessible to all. The sensory care bag initiative was originally developed by the team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust working alongside Giving World.
LPT leads the Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) Collaborative which works alongside the LLR Integrated Care Board, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, as well as the local voluntary sector and primary care services. Working together, the Collaborative’s aim is to transform services to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in the community.
Laura Smith, Head of Service – Learning Disability and Autism said:
“There is substantial evidence that sensory materials are beneficial in comforting and reducing anxiety for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The bags have already been rolled out at the University of Leicester Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.
“I’m delighted that the bags are now going to be rolled out across many of LPT’s community and mental health services. They will provide a better experience for these service users.”