Funding and Grants for Sensory Rooms
Sensory Rooms are expensive and while TFH doesn't provide any funding we are have created this page to point you towards some of the options out there.
Charity grants
- Newlife Community Play Grants - up to £1,000 towards your sensory space
If you're a grassroots organisation or charity supporting disabled children and young people up to 18, Newlife's Community Play grant offers up to £1,000 to spend on sensory equipment. This can be a genuine head start on setting up or expanding a sensory room. You'll need to be able to take part in the full programme, including training, surveys and impact reporting, and it's only open to organisations that haven't previously received a toy grant from Newlife.
TFH is a trusted supplier for Newlife's Community Play sensory equipment, so we know exactly what qualifies and how to make a grant go further. If you'd like guidance putting a list together, Newlife's Community Play Specialist can support you directly or talk to our team and we'll help you build a spec that fits your space and your £1,000.
The Lord Taverners fund sensory and soft play equipment for schools and settings working with under-19s with a physical, sensory, or learning disability, including sensory room packages and bespoke applications.
Government funding
- SEND capital investment: A £3 billion government programme is funding new specialist SEND places and adaptations across England through 2030, and sensory rooms and calm spaces are explicitly eligible. It's allocated through Local Authorities, with the first funding round expected in spring 2026 its worth raising with your LA's SEND or capital planning team directly.
- Inclusive Mainstream Fund (2026–27): a Department for Education fund supporting inclusive practice in mainstream schools, including calm and accessible learning environments. Check your school's confirmed allocation and current DfE guidance before assuming eligibility.
Local schemes
- Some councils run their own discretionary equipment or "wish list" grant schemes for schools and SEND settings. These aren't centrally listed, so it's worth a direct enquiry with your council's SEND or community grants team.
Grant schemes change their focus, amounts, and eligibility often, supermarket and corporate community funds in particular are reworked most years.
Funding schemes change frequently, this page reflects the position as of [03/09/2026] and should be checked against current guidance before you plan a budget around it.