Hi, I’m Josh Barnes, the founder of Noa’s Place. If you’ve been following our journey for a while, you know that we are all about creating a world where everyone: regardless of their neurodivergence or disability: feels like they truly belong.
Usually, when people hear the words "sensory room," they picture a room filled with bright plastic balls, soft play mats, and toddlers running around. And don’t get me wrong, those spaces are brilliant for kids! But at Noa’s Place, we’re doing things a bit differently. We believe sensory support is a lifelong need.
As we approach World Parkinson’s Day on the 11th of April, I wanted to take a moment to talk about why our vision for the hub includes dedicated sensory spaces specifically designed for adults, particularly those living with Parkinson’s.
Why World Parkinson’s Day Matters to Us
World Parkinson’s Day isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a day to shine a light on a condition that affects over 150,000 people in the UK. Many people think of Parkinson’s as "just a tremor," but it is so much more than that. It’s a complex neurological condition that affects movement, mood, and: something that often gets overlooked: how the brain processes the world around it.
Living in Halifax, we know how much our community values looking out for one another. But often, if you have a condition like Parkinson’s, the outside world can start to feel a bit... much. The lights in the supermarket feel too bright. The clatter of a busy café feels like a physical blow. The pressure to "act normal" while your hands are shaking can be exhausting.
That’s why we’re building Noa’s Place. While we are currently an online community: and we are right in the middle of our CIO application to become a registered charity: our dream is to open a physical hub in Halifax that serves as a sanctuary.
The Sensory Side of Parkinson’s
We often talk about sensory processing in the context of autism or ADHD, but did you know that people with Parkinson’s frequently experience sensory overload?
Because Parkinson’s affects the way the brain produces dopamine, it can mess with the "filters" we use to block out background noise or visual clutter. Imagine trying to have a conversation while someone is shining a torch in your eyes and a radio is blaring static in your ear. That’s what a "normal" environment can feel like during a bad flare-up.
Noise, flickering fluorescent lights, and even the "busy-ness" of a crowded room can trigger anxiety and make motor symptoms, like tremors or freezing of gait, significantly worse.
How Adult Sensory Rooms Can Help
In our future physical hub, we aren't just putting in a "quiet corner." We are designing state-of-the-art adult sensory rooms. These aren't playrooms; they are regulation stations.
Here is how they help:
- Tremor Management: Sometimes, the more you try to stop a tremor, the worse it gets. In a sensory room with dimmable, warm lighting and deep-pressure tools (like weighted blankets or lap pads), the nervous system can finally down-regulate. When the brain feels safe and calm, the physical symptoms can often become more manageable.
- Visual Comfort: We’ll use fibre-optic lights and bubble tubes that provide a focal point without being "strobe-y" or overwhelming. This helps with visual tracking and can be incredibly soothing for someone feeling overstimulated.
- Auditory Control: Our rooms will be sound-proofed. No sudden bangs, no sirens, no overlapping chatter. Just a space where you can choose to have silence or calming, low-frequency sounds.
- Ergonomic Support: We aren't talking about beanbags on the floor (which are a nightmare to get out of!). We’re talking about high-quality, sit-to-stand seating and mouldable supports that help with posture and mobility.
If you want to understand more about how sensory input affects you, you can check out our sensory profile tool for adults. It’s a great way to start identifying what triggers you and what helps you feel grounded.
The "No Masking" Policy
One of the things I am most passionate about at Noa’s Place is our "no masking" policy.
"Masking" is that exhausting thing people do where they try to hide their symptoms to make other people feel more comfortable. It’s trying to keep your hand still under the table. It’s smiling through the pain. It’s pretending you can hear what someone is saying over the loud music in a pub.
At Noa’s Place, we want you to leave the mask at the door. If you’re having a high-tremor day, that’s fine. If you need to sit in a dark room for twenty minutes before you can face a conversation, that’s fine too. We are creating a judgment-free zone where you can just be.
This is a core part of our "All About Me" philosophy. We even have a digital version of this you can use right now! The All About Me tool for adults helps you communicate your needs to others without having to explain yourself over and over again.
A Space for Carers, Too
We know that Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis. It affects the whole family.
Carers are some of the hardest-working people in Halifax, and often, they are the most isolated. When we open our physical hub, our community café will be at the heart of it. We want it to be a place where carers can grab a proper brew, sit down, and talk to people who actually "get it."
No one should have to navigate this journey alone. Whether you need advice on life transitions or just a bit of a moan about how hard the week has been, the café will be a place of connection and reduced isolation.
Why We Are Doing This
I’m Josh, and I’ve seen firsthand how the world can feel like it’s closing in when you have a disability or a long-term condition. But I’ve also seen the power of community.
Noa’s Place is named after my son, and the whole reason this exists is that I want a better, more inclusive future for him: and for everyone in our community. We are a community-led organisation. We aren't a big, faceless corporation; we are people from Halifax who want to make Halifax the best place in the UK to live with a disability.
Right now, we are working hard behind the scenes on our CIO application. We want to make sure that when we open those doors, we have the foundation to support people for years to come.
What You Can Do Right Now
While we don't have our building open just yet, there is still plenty you can do to get involved and find support:
- Explore our tools: If you or a loved one are struggling with sensory issues, take a look at our sensory overload resources. They are designed to help you understand your triggers and find ways to cope.
- Reach out: If you have questions about Parkinson’s support in Halifax or just want to know more about our plans, you can contact us here. We’d love to hear from you.
- Spread the word: If you know someone living with Parkinson’s, tell them about Noa’s Place. Let them know that a space is coming where they won’t have to mask, and where their sensory needs will be a priority, not an afterthought.
Follow Our Progress
We are on a big journey, and we want you to be a part of it. The best way to stay updated on our charity status, our fundraising events, and the progress of the hub is to join our community.
We send out a regular newsletter that isn't just "corporate updates": it’s full of stories, useful tips, and honest reflections on what it’s like to build something from the ground up.
Sign up for our newsletter here and help us bring this vision to life.
Thank you for being part of Noa’s Place. Whether you have Parkinson’s, you’re a carer, or you’re just someone who believes in a kinder world, you belong here.
Let's make World Parkinson's Day 2026 the start of something really special for Halifax.
Stay well,
Josh Barnes
Founder, Noa's Place