Friend in Me goes mobile

GEELONG charity Friend In Me is hitting the road and going mobile with its sensory zone on wheels.

The Mobile Reset Zone is designed to bring calm, comfort and connection to people of all abilities, no matter what environment they are in.

The addition of the trailer now enables Friend in Me to bring a calm, soothing space to a range of events, from festivals and schools through to community days.

Friend in Me founder Louise Larkin said the idea for the trailer came from a sensory reset zone at the Avalon Airshow.

“We had the wheels in motion, and I always think that a lot of events and community organisations and even sports and primary schools, they want to be able to offer some sort of sensory space for people who might get overwhelmed,” she said.

“We had an idea a couple of years ago to get a van and then this opportunity came up for this trailer, so now we have this trailer, which is complementing all the senses.”

Over several months, the zone has come together, with the team putting time into making it special inside, so when people do go in, they feel safe.

The trailer is fitted out with soft lighting, walls with fidget play on them, a mellow mat, bean bags and more.

Friend in Me also has plans to add an awning to the vehicle where they can put additional bean bags, particularly for outdoor style events.

Ms Larkin said she hopes the trailer will mean more people are able to attend events.

“I want all families to be able to go, but knowing if they do have people in their family that will get overwhelmed and just need that safe space to go to so they can continue,” she said.

“I think it’s really important, if they’ve got somewhere to go, regulate again and then go back to the event they were attending; that’s all we really want.”

For more information, head to friendinme.org.au