By Sarah Dale
8 August 2025
When 12-year-old Henry Bourner discovered his favourite charity needed to raise £25,000 to fund a new “vital” Quiet Room, he decided to take on a fundraising challenge of his own.
Henry, who is autistic, goes to MAIN, based in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, every Thursday after school. MAIN supports children and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, have a learning disability or complex needs, and the charity is urgently raising funds to build a Quiet Room to support children and young people in heightened emotional states. All the services needed for the build – from architectural design to labour – have been provided free of charge, however, the charity launched a campaign last month [July] to raise enough money for the necessary building works and materials.
Henry says: “I love learning about roads and postcodes and over the course of three days during the month of August, I am going to walk the length of some of the longest roads in Middlesbrough!”
His fundraising walks will take him along Ladgate Lane from the Bluebell Hotel to Normanby High Street, Marton Road from the Odeon to Miller and Carter, and Linthorpe/Acklam Road from Middlesbrough Railway Station to Cherry Hill Garden Centre.
So far, the kindhearted youngster has raised an incredible £985 towards the project!
Heather Whyman, CEO of MAIN, couldn’t be prouder of Henry and his family’s support of his fundraising challenge. She says: “Henry is more than just a fundraiser, he’s an inspiration!
“As a young autistic person who attends our Thursday Afterschool Club, Henry understands just how important it is to have a space to re-regulate, to breathe, and to feel secure. And now, he’s doing something extraordinary to help others find that same sense of calm.
“His energy, compassion and determination are helping us move closer to building the Quiet Room, one step, one donation, one moment at a time.”
And Henry isn’t the only one to step up to help the charity.
So far, MAIN has secured £3,000 from the Tees Foundation in grant funding and £160 from individual donors. MAIN has also been pledged £5,500 from Redcar and Cleveland Council, £5,500 from Middlesbrough Council, £1,500 from P+HS Architects and £250 from Atomix Educational Trust.
“With your help, we’re creating more than a room, we’re creating possibility,” says Heather.
“A space where anxiety can ease, senses can settle and young people can find the calm they need.
“We are so incredibly grateful for our community. This is such an encouraging start to our campaign to raise £25,000 for our new Quiet Room, which will be a calm, safe and low-stimulation space designed to support the emotional regulation of the children and young people we work with at MAIN.
“This space will offer an environment where individuals can withdraw when feeling overwhelmed, allowing them time and space to re-regulate, manage emotions, and reduce stress in a supportive setting.”
The Quiet Room will play a crucial role in helping to reduce incidents of behaviours that challenge. It will provide a sensory-considerate environment tailored specifically for autistic, neurodiverse, and learning-disabled children and young people. Its purpose is to act as a positive and proactive tool that promotes emotional wellbeing, self-regulation and safety.
“Many of the children we support experience sensory overload that can lead to high levels of distress, sometimes resulting in aggression towards themselves or others,” adds Heather.
“By having access to a dedicated space where they can de-escalate safely and in their own time, we can help prevent crisis situations and better support their continued participation at MAIN.
“At present, we have several children whose placements are at risk due to the lack of such a space. Without this provision, there is a real danger of breakdown in placements, which places additional stress on families, siblings, and the wider support network. The Quiet Room is not just a physical space, it is a vital part of creating a stable, inclusive and therapeutic environment for our young people to thrive.”
The new space, which will be located within the MAIN site on Elizabeth Terrace, has been designed by Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects, who is also the trustee chair of MAIN. Using his design, the new space will be transformed from an empty storeroom to a peaceful haven by JPS Ltd.
Features of the room will include padded walls, door and floor made from Duratex, which is bite-proof, nail-proof and guaranteed for 15 years, and a digital skylight which can be changed at the push of a button to reflect a blue sky or relaxing hues.
“The quicker we raise the money, the quicker our children and young people will be safer – it is as simple as that,” says Heather.
“This space will keep all our children safe and ensures that we can continue with our mission of never turning any child or young person away.”
The charity is calling on the community spirit of Teesside – from individuals to businesses looking for ways to support their social value policies – to unite and become a force for good for some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community.
Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects and MAIN trustee chair, says: “This facility will be absolutely amazing for the children and young adults that MAIN support and it’s a continued privilege to be involved.”
Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of Education Training Collective and MAIN trustee, says: “Creating a quiet, safe space for children and adults who may be in crisis is more than a project – it could represent a lifeline for someone at a particular time. Any donation, no matter the size, will be helping us reach our goal to build a sanctuary where those in need can find calm and comfort.”
Sam Anderson, CEO of Wolviston Group and MAIN supporter, says: “MAIN creates an environment where every child is valued, and I’m proud to play a small part in helping them continue that mission.”
MAIN thanks P+HS Architects, JPS Ltd, Wolviston Management Group, ATF Supplies, SW Decorators NE, Castle Construction, Tarkett UK, Teesside Family Foundation, Tees Foundation, Care Base, OOK, SASS media, Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Atomix Educational Trust and, of course, Henry.
To donate to MAIN for the Quiet Room, visit MAIN Charitable Donation-Quiet Room – MAIN – Together Raising Smiles and Henry’s Just Giving page can be found at John Bourner is fundraising for MAIN.
You may also be interested in.
Estates expert writes superguide for education management sector
Tracey Field has managed some very different estates in her career. Her new book, Leading & Managing an Education Estate: A Practical Guide, is a handy go-to text drawn from…
By Sarah Dale
27 August 2025
‘System is failing’ police officers across the UK as mental health absences rise*
Ex-police officer launches national campaign to drive urgent reform to save officers’ lives. When Paul Cooper read online about another police officer who had died by suicide, he was angry,…
By Sarah Dale
5 August 2025
‘Sky’s the limit’ as young property entrepreneur takes the helm at Eston lettings agency
A young property entrepreneur whose business has already turned over £3.2m in its 18-month history has taken over a well-established lettings agency in Eston. Jordan Ward, 29, of Redcar, set…
By Sarah Walker
29 July 2025
We believe all businesses have a story to tell.
Let us help you tell yours!