This story was covered by BBC News
For many children, a hospital admission brings more than just medical treatment. It can also mean unfamiliar sounds, bright lights and anxiety in an unfamiliar environment.
A new sensory room, gifted by Birmingham’s Dawoodi Bohra community, has opened its doors to young patients admitted to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in Smethwick, one of the West Midlands’ newest National Health Service (NHS) facilities.
The room, located within the hospital’s Paediatric Department, has been designed to create a calming and supportive environment within the paediatric ward; calm, carefully lit, and equipped for therapeutic play, relaxation and sensory engagement. It forms part of the clinical care offer, used by play specialists and physiotherapists to support children’s recovery and wellbeing during their inpatient stay.
It provides a calm space away from the busy hospital environment, helping create an atmosphere that feels more like a family setting rather than a purely medical one.
Johnny Shah, Charity Director at Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity.
“Partnerships like this have a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for the support of the Dawoodi Bohra community,” Shah added.
The project is funded through Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic programme, which has previously supported healthcare and welfare initiatives across the UK and globally. The Birmingham Bohra community collaborated with the hospital and the paediatric care team to supplement paediatric care with sensory provision at MMUH.
Our faith teaches us that caring for the sick is not an act of charity. It is a responsibility. We believe that true wellbeing encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions. This room is designed to support all three — creating an environment where children feel calm, safe, and supported during their care.
Dr. Yusuf Kaderbhai, Programme Coordinator, Dawoodi Bohra Community Birmingham
This sensory room will make a meaningful difference, especially in times of adversity.
Doug Wright, Deputy Lieutenant and MBE
He added: “A hospital is a place where no one wishes to be, but facilities like this, provided by the Dawoodi Bohra community, bring much-needed comfort and reassurance. It is especially inspiring to see what a community of just 185 households has been able to achieve. I am immensely proud to witness such efforts making a real difference.”
The provision does not stop at four walls. For young patients who cannot leave their beds, including those in neonatal units or with significant mobility needs, mobile sensory units are now available to be brought directly to the bedside, ensuring that the children who need this support most are not excluded from it.
The initiative goes beyond bricks and equipment. Acknowledging that the room’s real value will only be understood through the experiences of the children who use it, staff training is embedded into the programme, alongside a formal feedback process involving families and carers.
The Dawoodi Bohras are a global Muslim community known for their commitment to education, community welfare, and public service. Through initiatives such as Project Rise, they work alongside partners to support healthcare access, environmental responsibility, and social wellbeing.