Students Celebrate Opening of New Sensory Nooks at Yorkshire Rose College

Yorkshire Rose College celebrated a major milestone last week with the grand opening of its new AmbiSpace sensory nooks, a project created in collaboration with the Student Voice Team and college staff. Installed at the start of the week and officially opened on Thursday, the timing allowed the graduating class to see the results of months of planning and offered a glimpse of what incoming students will benefit from in September. 

The opening was led by Student Voice leaders Keiran and Crystal, alongside Michael Ibbotson, Admissions and Student Experience Director. Together, they introduced the transformed social space: a warm, welcoming area redesigned to support connection, comfort, and sensory regulation. 

At the heart of the transformation are two AmbiSpace sensory nooks, designed to help students socialise in a calmer, more predictable environment. The nooks provide sound isolation, allowing students to process conversations more easily, a crucial benefit for many neurodivergent learners. Their soft lighting and comfortable seating help students stay regulated between lessons, offering a peaceful alternative to busy communal areas. 

The college further enhanced the space with new seating zones and bean bags, creating a flexible environment where students can relax, chat, and decompress throughout the day. 

Feedback from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Crystal shared how the nooks will give students “a place to relax and chat in between their lessons,” highlighting the importance of having dedicated regulation spaces in education settings. Students Liberty and Lucy described the nooks as “so amazing,” adding that they wished they’d had them sooner. The installation also included a gift of two Zensory weighted blankets, which Keiran and Crystal praised for their modular design and textured sections, perfect for additional sensory support. 

Sensory nooks play a vital role in creating inclusive environments. They offer regulation support, reduce overwhelm, and help students feel grounded during busy college days. When schools and colleges invest in sensory‑friendly spaces, they invest in wellbeing, accessibility, and the success of every learner. 

AmbiSpace is proud to support the Carr Fenton Foundation and Yorkshire Rose College in their commitment to creating environments where all students feel safe, supported, and included. 

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