Autism-friendly salon opens in Heysham

By Tim Aldred

23 Sep 2019

the-serene-sensory-salon-team.jpg

A new hair and beauty salon has opened in Middleton which features a range of innovative sensory technology to suit people with autism and other additional needs.

Serene Sensory & Salon, on the Heysham peninsular, features a multi-sensory room, hydrotherapy pool and salon.

The sensory room features bubble tubes, fibre optic lighting, music and calming scents to provide relaxation and stimulation. Tactile items such as cushions and vibrating pillows and fidget toys are also provided. The sensory room user is in control at the touch of a switch and users must be supervised at all times.

The hydrotherapy pool is particularly beneficial for people with chronic pain and can also help with sensory difficulties such as sensory processing and cognitive learning that often accompany autism. Hired by the hour it is already proving popular with parties as it seats up to five people at one time and a hoist is available.

Davina Simm and her daughter, Jessica Pinwell, manage the hair salon while Claire Winder runs the beauty room which offers everything from eyebrow waxing to stress buster massages. A Sensory Parent and Toddler Group runs each week plus a number of special workshops and storytelling days run throughout the year.

Debbie, who has 20 years of experience working with clients who have ADHD, ASD, learning disabilities and sensory needs, said: "For those with autism and other special needs, a haircut can be very challenging. Whether there are difficulties with their touch system or sensory overload a traditional noisy hairdressing salon environment can be overwhelming. The sensation of scissors on the head or a stranger touching their hair may be unbearable. Sitting still for any length of time can also be difficult. We take everything very slowly and gently."

The new facility has opened on the tenth anniversary of the Autism Act passing in England which aims to improve the lives of autistic adults and their families.

Debbie added: “Much has been achieved over the last decade, but a recent study by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism and the National Autistic Society revealed that two thirds of autistic adults in England are living without the care and support they need to live full lives. Just eight per cent of autistic adults believe that health and care services in their area have improved.

“Serene Sensory & Salon is the only place of its type in this area that caters for all ages - not just children - and for those of all abilities. This includes people with conditions such as autism but also those with anxiety, epilepsy, dementia and other sensory conditions. What’s more, we are open year round, not just in school holidays."

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Pleasure Beach Resort takes home four prizes at UK Theme Park Awards Pleasure Beach Resort’s David Hill, head of rides, and Stuart Cumming, marketing manager with the awards

Pleasure Beach Resort takes home four prizes at UK Theme Park Awards

18 Sep 2025

2

Brookhouse Aerospace invests more than £500k in additional machinery to support growth Brookhouse Aerospace machining facility

Brookhouse Aerospace invests more than £500k in additional machinery to support growth

18 Sep 2025

3

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey Mo Isap from the Lancashire Business Board with the plan

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey

18 Sep 2025

4

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

5

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin