The Cowdenbeath-based agency, a MSTP member of Barrhead Travel’s Brilliant Travel division, his kitted out the former RBS vault with sensory toys and lights, bean bags and hearing loops, as well as a projector.
Managing director Scott Paterson said the new space would allow clients to come in and focus on planning their holidays knowing their children are safe and entertained.
Paterson came up with the idea after noticing more bookings were coming from families with special assistance requests. He spoke about it with one of his regular clients, who has two non-verbal autistic children, and they agreed the room could massively improve the experience for families with special assistance needs.
“Coming into a busy retail store can be challenging for parents with neurodivergent children, so I started thinking about how we could create a safe, welcoming and calmer atmosphere within our branch,” he said.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy the holiday booking experience and that is what we are trying to achieve with the opening of the sensory room.”
Paterson said the room is located next to one of the offices and can be booked seven days a week. “We’ll only offer one or two appointments per day so there will be no rush and families can take as long as they need to book their holiday,” Paterson added.
The sensory room was soft-launched in January with the help of Barry Adamson’s family, the client who was first contacted by Paterson with the idea.
“Having neurodivergent children makes simple things like sitting in a travel agency an impossible task and something we would never have dreamed of doing previously,” said Adamson.
“However, having the dedicated safe and secure sensory space for the kids to have fun and relax, along with friendly, understanding and accommodating staff, meant we could focus on all things holidays.”
