Aureos Highways has delivered a sensory room site initiative with YOR4Good. The contractor purchased floor panels and sensory room equipment for a local community interest company in Shipley.  The initiative is linked to the Shipley Market Place project which Aureos has been delivering for City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

The Activity Den offer services such as reading sessions, stay-and-play activities, men’s social groups, and emotional support. Aureos also used The Activity Den for their site team and rented office space injecting a financial contribution into the local economy. It was using the offices which led to discussions about legacy benefits for the community.

During these discussions, it became clear that Shipley did not have a sensory room; the nearest facility being eight miles away in Keighley. For families with young children, particularly those on low incomes or with neurodiverse needs, this distance posed a significant barrier. The Activity Den were able to share that they’d been undertaking surveys, prior to fundraising, which indicated that 80% of their clients would use a local sensory room.

Aureos was able to fund the purchase of specialist sensory equipment, including tactile toys, sensory lighting, and soft flooring. These items helped to create a calming yet stimulating environment that supports emotional regulation and wellbeing. To ensure that there were no barriers to it being used, The Activity Den planned to operate the sensory room on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, ensuring accessibility for all families regardless of financial circumstances.

The sensory room is expected to benefit over 400 families weekly, including a significant number of home-educated children – 80% of whom are neurodiverse. Beyond providing a safe and supportive environment, the initiative strengthens local wellbeing services. It also offers a warm, welcoming space for families struggling with heating costs, addressing broader social challenges in an area with high levels of deprivation.

The Activity Den will maintain the facility through donations, ensuring long-term sustainability. By embedding the sensory room within an established community hub, the initiative creates a lasting legacy that promotes health, inclusion, and resilience.

Louise Pavitt, Managing Director for Aureos Highways Ltd, said: “Aureos is delighted to provide the sensory room kit for the Activity Den, creating a lasting legacy for the local community following our recent work on the Shipley Market Place project. Supporting and engaging with local communities is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to contribute to inclusive spaces that make a real difference.”

Stuart Culley, Customer and Social Value Lead for Aureos Highways agreed, saying: “This project is all about making life easier for local families. By listening to what people really need, we’ve helped create a space that’s welcoming, inclusive, and full of opportunities. The sensory room isn’t just a room – it’s a place where kids can feel calm, parents can feel supported, and the community can come together. It’s about breaking down barriers and leaving something positive that lasts.”

Heather Scroggins, Co-Founder and Director of The Activity Den, said: “The idea of the sensory room is to ignite all of the senses. We want to make sure it is used by people because the nearest sensory rooms are at Bingley and Keighley. Hopefully local residents can access a place that is closer to their doorstep. People are already enthusiastic and excited for the sensory room to open.”