By Sarah Dale
19 July 2025
£25,000 is needed to create a safe space for children and adults in crisis
Can you raise a smile for a Middlesbrough-based charity which is urgently appealing for the Teesside community to become a “force for good”?
MAIN, which supports children and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, have a learning disability or complex needs, urgently needs £25,000 to create a safe quiet space for children in heightened emotional states.
“Our Quiet Room 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,” says Heather Whyman, CEO of 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 in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, 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.
“We want to create a world where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential, embraced for their uniqueness and included fully in all aspects of society,” adds Heather.
“Our goal is happiness by making a lasting and positive impact to the people we support.”
MAIN provides a range of services including one-to-one support for children and young people in the community, opportunities to experience new activities with trained team members, club activities divided into different age groups, a parent forum group, and advice and guidance.
“We have such great support from the local community and we know that times are hard for lots of people, but we are a very small charity which relies heavily on donations,” explains Heather.
“Everyone who is helping us – everyone from the architect to the building works, public relations to marketing support – is doing it for free simply because they strongly believe it is the right thing to do. The funds we need are for materials to complete the project.”
Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects and MAIN trustee chair, said: “This facility will be absolutely amazing for the children and young adults that MAIN support and it’s a continued privilege to be involved from both my trusteeship and also as a director at P+HS Architects.”
Sam Anderson, CEO of Wolviston Group and MAIN supporter, said: “As CEO of Wolviston Group, I’ve supported MAIN for the past 18 months because of the incredible work they do with neurodiverse children and their families across Teesside. The quiet room is a vital project that will provide a safe, calming space for children in emotional crisis – a space where they can feel understood, supported and secure. MAIN creates an environment where every child is valued, and I’m proud to play a small part in helping them continue that mission.”
Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of Education Training Collective and MAIN trustee, said: “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.”
Tony Wedlake, founder of Teesside Family Foundation, which supported the transformation of the former Finlay Cooper Centre on Elizabeth Terrace into the new MAIN headquarters, said: “The Teesside Foundation supports MAIN and all of its endeavours to make the building safe, sensory friendly and welcoming.”
Heather added: “On behalf of our children and adults and their families, a huge thank you to everyone who has already pledged their support: 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 and SASS media. We are more powerful together.”
To donate to MAIN and be a part of the force for good, visit www.iammain.org.uk
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