Pete is an activist for the autistic community working through community building via the internet and in person, and tries to make Manchester autism friendly through concerned communities, forums, and committees. For more information, visit the (closed) Facebook Group.

Below you'll find Pete's recommendations for sensory rooms, and additional information about autistism friendly facitilies in Manchester's Arndale Centre, and INTU Trafford Centre:

Image credit: Redbank House Sensory Room

Redbank House Sensory Room - Central Manchester

Located very close to the city center, this room is about ten minutes walk away from Victoria train station. Prices are £10 per service user; support workers are free of charge. This is for a one-hour session. Features include water beds, soft areas, bubble tubes, music and lights.

Address:  4 St. Chad’s Street, Manchester, M8 8QA

Email: info@redbankhouse.com

Telephone:  0161 214 5959

Ordsall Leisure Centre Multi Sensory Room - Salford

Located inside a leisure centre in Salford, fairly close to Salford Quays. £7.50 for an adult for a 50 minute session with a 15 minute induction required. Features include bubble tubes, a sensory wall, infinity tunnel, soft area and a projector.

Website: http://www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/lifestyles/multi-sensory-room

Address: Craven Drive, Orsdall, Salford, M5 3DJ

Email: ordsallleisurecentre@scll.co.uk

Telephone: 0161 848 0646

Image credit: Sensoriel Sensory Hub

Sensoriel Sensory Hub - Wigan

A sensory hub including a cafe. Features two rooms, a calm room with ball pit, bubble tube, dark den and vibro-acoustic couch; and an interactive room featuring a large interactive projection floor. Adult drop in sessions are £5 and take place on Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 and Wednesdays 1:30-2:30.

Website: http://www.sensoriel.co.uk/sensory-hub.html

Address: Ashland House, Manchester Road, Ince, Wigan, WN2 2DX

Email: info@sensoriel.co.uk

Telephone: 07434 870862 / 07434 873507

Oldham Library Sensory Room - Oldham

Another small room, although this one can hold six people. Located inside a children's library it has very limited times for booking (Wednesdays 2-4. Thursdays 10-12.) but doesn’t seem to have a cost attached. The online booking form only allows you to select two as the minimum amount of visitors. Features include a bubble tube, musical touch wall and infinity tunnel.

Website: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200280/libraries/2064/sensory_room

Address: Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL

Email: oldham.library@oldham.gov.uk

Telephone: 0161 770 8000

Image credit: Benchill Community Centre Sensory Room

Benchill Community Centre Sensory Room - Wythenshawe

A very small room which can only fit three children and two adults, so probably only three or four adults max. Price is just £1 for half an hour and support workers are free. Features include a bubble tube, waterbed, interactive wall and aromatherapy diffuser.

Website: https://www.benchillcommunitycentre.co.uk/sensory-room/

Address: Benchill Road, Manchester, M22 8EJ

Email: bcc@wchg.org.uk

Telephone: 0161 946 9520

Autistism Friendly Facilities Around Shopping Centres

Manchester Arndale

No specifically autistic friendly services are offered but there is a prayer room available which can also function as a quiet space. Due to the nature of the room it isn’t guaranteed to be quiet at all times. It can be found near Shopmobility which is down the corridor leading out to Shudehill on the ground floor, next to Sports Direct.

Intu Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre offers a surprisingly broad array of facilities. There is a simple visual and a detailed guide available on their website which includes familiarisation pictures, maps detailing busy and noisy areas as well as quieter times to visit. They also have printable cards available to present to staff if needed. The guide and cards do use person first language (‘has autism’) however. There is also a prayer room in the centre too. This is located on the upper floor next to Debenhams, just at the doors to enter and exit closest to the bus stop.