A Safe Space This Christmas: RUHX Launches £50k Appeal for Children's Mental Health at RUH Bath

The number of children arriving at hospitals in mental-health crisis is climbing at an alarming rate — and RUH Bath is taking action. This Christmas, RUHX, the official NHS charity for the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath, has launched an urgent appeal to raise £50,000 to create a much-needed calm, de-escalation room on the Children’s Ward. This dedicated space aims to support young patients experiencing mental health crises in an environment designed specifically to reduce anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and escalation.

In a significant surge since mid-2024, the Children’s Ward at RUH Bath has seen over 400 admissions of children and young people arriving in acute mental health crisis. These hospital stays often expose young patients to the challenging sensory environment of busy wards—where bright lights and noise can exacerbate distress and confusion.

To address this critical gap, RUHX’s fundraising appeal will help design and establish a sensory-friendly sanctum featuring soft furnishings, low-stimulation lighting, and therapeutic elements. The de-escalation room will serve as a safe haven inside both the Children’s Ward and Children’s Emergency Department, providing a calm retreat where children and teenagers can manage overwhelming feelings in a supportive space.

Dr. Emily Harris, Lead Clinician on the Children’s Ward, said, "We see firsthand how chaotic environments can affect young patients in crisis. A dedicated calm room will transform the way we support their mental health, reducing distress and helping them regain control safely."

RUHX confirmed that all £50,000 raised will be fully allocated to the construction, sensory equipment, and therapeutic resources needed to create this specialised space—ensuring complete transparency and maximal impact of donations.

Beyond benefiting patients, this dedicated room will also support families and carers by offering them a private area to provide comfort, and it will assist ward staff by enabling a trauma-informed approach to mental health care. Staff report that environments like this help reduce the need for restraint or sedation, making care safer and more compassionate.

Ruth Morgan, mother of seven-year-old Ben, who experienced a mental health crisis while at RUH, shared, "Knowing that this calm space could help children like Ben feel safer and less overwhelmed means the world to families struggling through these difficult times."

RUHX encourages the local community to support this initiative by donating via the RUHX website (insert donation link here) and participating in festive events such as Christmas jumper days, Santa runs, cake and coffee mornings, and charitable gift drives. The goal is to complete fundraising in time to open the de-escalation room by spring 2026.

This launch highlights RUH Bath’s commitment to tackling the growing mental health crisis among children and ensuring that every young patient has access to compassionate, personalised care when they are most vulnerable.

Supporting this appeal means investing in a safer, kinder future for children in crisis and providing vital resources to a hospital that cares deeply for its community.

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