Sensory library opens in Coventry

Items like noise-cancelling headphones are now available to borrow from Coventry Central Library to help residents with sensory needs.

Autistic people are more vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed and distressed by things like loud noise and bright lights.

Alex Hilton, an autistic resident who started the project, said they had struggled with "sensory overload" and wanted to help others in the community.

They said if they had been able to borrow similar items at the time of their diagnosis, they would have realised how much it could help.

"I've experienced a lack of support for sensory needs - despite these being the thing I struggle with most around my autism," they said.

"I've relied on recommendations from friends about what has worked for them around sensory needs.

"My noise-cancelling headphones, which were eventually purchased through access to work, have made a huge difference to my life."

The sensory library project has also collaborated with Coventry Resting Spaces (CRS), which aims to provide people with a quiet place to recover if they become overwhelmed in the city centre.

CRS was co-founded by Ashley Kirton, who works with the charity Grapevine to open resting spaces around the city after his own experience of having to hide in a public toilet when suffering from anxiety.

He said: "Offering things like headphones and fidgets draws you away from the anxiety.

"Before having these spaces I wouldn't cope, my anxiety would go through the roof and I would just leave the building.

"Now if I'm stressed in the library I'm able to go to the resting space."

Ashley's father Trevor acts as chair of CRS and said the joint venture with the sensory library had been "tremendous".

"It's very similar to our project and we were able to get funding from the charity committee to get it off the ground," he said.

CRS now has four spaces around the city centre and nearby, including at Coventry Central Library, with a fifth reopening at the Herbert Art Gallery in July where people can come and rest for free.

The library space is open for public use every Tuesday between 10:30 and 17:00.

All items can be borrowed from the sensory library for free by anyone with a library card.

They are particularly aimed at autistic adults, but anyone can use the sensory library.

People will be able to try out the sensory equipment in the display cases next to the library's VR room, or speak to a member of staff at the library's front desk.

The items will also feature in the library's online catalogue.

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