5th March 2025
Sanctuary Supported Living
A new wellbeing room at a homelessness support service in Colchester has been transformed into a quiet space where residents can relax, reflect, and recharge.
Recognising the potential of an old storage room, residents and staff came together at Sanctuary Supported Living’s Queen Elizabeth Way to create a calming environment designed to promote wellbeing. They repainted the entire room, including old bookshelves, and added thoughtful touches like rugs, plants, bean bags, yoga mats, framed artwork, throws, floor cushions, side tables, and religious ornaments. The homelessness service’s maintenance assistant also repurposed spare timber to craft desks for arts and crafts.
The room is already making a meaningful difference in residents’ lives, providing a much-needed retreat for relaxation and self-care. So far, it’s been used for a variety of activities, including drawing, painting, reading, yoga, meditation, and quiet reflection. To celebrate its opening, a speaker from the Colchester Buddhist Centre was invited to share insights into Buddhism and guide a meditation session. Incredibly, one resident, who struggles with respiratory problems remained completely cough-free throughout the session.
“Having a safe, welcoming space where they can take a breath and focus on their wellbeing is so important. ”
To ensure the space continues to meet residents’ needs, staff have distributed a ‘Have Your Say’ form, inviting feedback and suggestions for future activities. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in regular meditation sessions. Staff are now exploring ways to offer these more frequently, including online meditation through the Colchester Buddhist Centre and potential in-person sessions with a trained practitioner.
With plans to introduce more events and activities, the space will continue to be a valuable resource for those seeking a moment of peace amid life’s challenges.
Local Service Manager, Chelsea Collingridge, said: “Many of our residents have faced difficult experiences, and the impact on their mental health can be long lasting. Having a safe, welcoming space where they can take a breath and focus on their wellbeing is so important. Whether it’s through meditation, creative activities, or simply having a quiet place to relax, this room is already making a difference. It’s wonderful to see residents embracing it and finding moments of peace they may not have had for a long time.”
According to Homeless Link, the number of people sleeping rough in England has increased by 20% since last year*. Supported housing services like Queen Elizabeth Way are designed to help prevent or break the cycle of homelessness, by supporting people to build the skills needed to maintain a tenancy and become self-reliant.
For more information about Sanctuary Supported Living’s services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, see our latest news or find a service near you.
