Mental health within our community

In this blog, our Trustee Ian shares his reflections on the power of community, his personal journey with Bradford District and Craven Mind, and a visit to a sensory space making a difference in the heart of Bradford.

Mental Health Awareness Week (12th – 18th May) is the UK’s biggest campaign dedicated to promoting positive mental health and challenging the stigma that still surrounds it. Each year focuses on a different theme, and for 2025, it’s all about community.

So take a moment to ask yourself: what makes up your community? Is it your family, friends, neighbours, or faith spaces like a church or mosque? Who are the people you turn to in everyday life – to celebrate with, laugh with, and share memories with?

We’re all human, we all go through our peaks and valleys, so who would you go to during those difficult and challenging times?

At Bradford District and Craven Mind, we know that strong, supportive communities play a huge role in our wellbeing. Whether it’s a listening ear, a bit of advice, or someone who just makes the time to check in on you – community matters. Our services are here for anyone who needs support, whether you have a formal diagnosis or you’re facing something new and unexpected. Whatever you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone.

I began my journey with BDC Mind as a Service Member and I recall one of the Wellbeing Practitioners saying,

Most people who come here tend to be asking two big questions: Who am I? And what is my purpose?

Years later, after becoming a volunteer and now a Trustee, I still see those questions being asked time and time again. And I was one of those people, too. I’d lost my way.

If you’ve ever quietly asked yourself those same questions, where do you go for answers? Ideally, we’d all be surrounded by people who understand mental health and respond with compassion, not judgement. And while society is becoming more open and educated, there’s still work to do. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Week matters – it helps to challenge stigma, promote understanding, and build more approachable, informed communities.

So I’ll ask again: where would you go in your community if you were feeling depressed, anxious, paranoid, or even suicidal? And if you’re a parent or carer of someone who is neurodivergent – perhaps living with ADHD or autism – where would you turn if they were struggling with anxiety or sensory overload?

One new space that’s making a difference is right in the heart of Bradford. The city’s largest sensory room opened nearly a year ago, on 22nd May 2024, in Broadway Shopping Centre, officially launched by the Lord Mayoress of Bradford, Beverley Mullaney. It’s a calming, accessible space that’s already becoming a valuable resource for many. I recently had the pleasure of visiting and catching up with Mandy Stone, the manager, who kindly gave me a tour and shared more about its role in our community.

This room is for anyone who is experiencing mental health challenges and/or is neurodivergent, such as people with autism. It’s here for those who might feel overwhelmed – maybe they’ve panicked or found the noise and busyness of the shopping centre too much. For some, it might be that they’re managing OCD and the environment feels unsettling or triggering.

The sensory room is a calm, quiet place where people can come to take a break. The equipment, soft seating, colours and gentle sounds are all designed to help create a relaxing atmosphere. It can support people to feel more at ease, and to focus on something soothing, rather than thoughts that might feel distressing or intrusive.

Yes – anyone of any age can use it, and sessions usually last around 30 minutes, although we can be flexible. No one is left alone in the room, so if you’re a parent or carer, we ask that you stay with the person while they’re here.

The door to the room is fluorescent green, and it turns red when the room is in use so it’s clear when it’s occupied. Sometimes people from the same group use the room at the same time, but we don’t mix different groups. The room is cleaned after each use to meet health and safety and infection control standards.

We also have a ceiling hoist installed so people who use wheelchairs or have mobility needs can access and enjoy the space too.

Since we opened in May last year, we’ve had over 1,700 people use the sensory room. More and more people are hearing about it, and the feedback we’ve had has been really positive – from the individuals using it, as well as their carers and families.

It’s clear that the room is helping people who are having a difficult time, and that’s something I’m really proud of. It shows that Broadway is supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing in a real, practical way – right in the heart of the community.

Posted on: 7th May 2025