Lincolnshire libraries: safe spaces for SEND 

At Lincs Inspire, our libraries are on a clear and purposeful Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) journey. We are committed to ensuring that our spaces, services and activities are inclusive, welcoming and responsive to the needs of children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities. Increasingly, our libraries are not just places of learning, but vital health and wellbeing assets where people feel safe, understood and that they truly belong.

Lincs Inspire is a charitable trust managing the public library service across North East Lincolnshire. We recognise that health and wellbeing are shaped by far more than physical activity alone. Confidence, connection, communication and access to supportive environments all play a crucial role – and libraries are uniquely placed to offer these in the heart of local communities.
 

A Sensory Room and Sound Clouds at Cleethorpes Library

A powerful example of this work can be seen at Cleethorpes Library, where the Sensory Room has become a cornerstone of our SEND offer. Designed to provide a calm and supportive environment, the room supports children and adults with a wide range of needs, including hearing loss, learning disabilities and sensory processing difficulties. For many families, everyday public spaces can feel overwhelming, but the Sensory Room offers a quiet, predictable and inclusive alternative.

In January, we celebrated the addition of acoustic Sound Clouds to the room. These ceiling-mounted panels significantly reduce noise and reverberation, creating a more comfortable listening environment. Teachers from the local authority’s Hearing and Vision Loss Team, who attend weekly sensory play sessions, have already seen the impact. Children who previously struggled to engage are now able to participate for longer, helping to build confidence, communication skills and wellbeing.

What makes the Sensory Room particularly special is how it has been shaped through partnership and lived experience. Funding for the Sound Clouds came from a community-led fundraising effort by families who attend our Sensory Shake, Rattle and Read sessions, strengthening a sense of ownership and trust.

Benefiting from partnerships with local colleges

Our partnership with Linkage College in Grimsby has also played a vital role. Through this collaboration, we welcome a volunteer with learning difficulties into Cleethorpes Library, Alisha. She was instrumental in developing the Sensory Room, carefully selecting toys and equipment that are well suited to children and adults with SEND. Her insight and creativity ensured the space truly reflects the needs of those who use it, while also demonstrating the value of inclusive volunteering. Alisha even made the final in the Outstanding Volunteer category at the national Seriously Social Awards last year in Manchester.


Continuing the SEND journey

Beyond the Sensory Room, our SEND journey continues across library services. Staff have been trained in Makaton, supporting more inclusive communication and helping to reduce barriers for children and adults who use signs and symbols. We also work closely with teachers from North East Lincolnshire Council’s Hearing and Vision Loss Team, embedding specialist expertise directly into library-based activities.

In addition, we have widened our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision to include children with SEND. By adapting sessions and working closely with families and partners, we are helping to ensure that school holidays are inclusive, supportive and enriching for all children.

Ralph’s story brings this work to life. After being diagnosed with moderate hearing loss, Ralph and his family began attending sensory sessions at the library. Over time, he learned to engage with music, routines and group play. His mum describes how the library has become a place where he feels calm, confident and able to thrive.

Libraries are not just places to borrow books. They are community anchors that support SEND inclusion, early years development, mental health and lifelong wellbeing. When libraries listen, adapt and work in partnership, they become places where everyone belongs – and that sense of belonging is profoundly good for our health.