Northamptonshire firm and local mental health charity lead national push for inclusive event spaces
Introducing “Breathing Space,” an innovative wellbeing zone designed to offer calm, comfort, and connection at major events.
Attendees at this year’s B2B Marketing Live at ExCeL London (19–20 November) will be able to visit Breathing Space - a dedicated wellbeing zone created to support attendees who may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or in need of a quiet moment.
The space has been developed by ProVis Events in partnership with Northamptonshire Mind and Alpha-Stim, combining innovative wellbeing technology, thoughtful event design, and mental health expertise.
Both ProVis Events and Northamptonshire Mind are based in Northamptonshire, reflecting a growing regional commitment to innovation in wellbeing and accessibility across workplaces and public spaces.
Visitors will be offered a free 20-minute Alpha-Stim session alongside a range of wellbeing and accessibility support designed to make events more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities.
Alpha-Stim is clinically proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and is also offered by the NHS in some areas across the UK. The device uses Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation to deliver small, pulsed currents to the brain, providing rapid and effective symptom relief. It is one of several features available at Breathing Space during the two-day event.
People who find the hustle and bustle of stands and talks overwhelming can also access dedicated sensory booths with adjustable blinds and coloured lighting, or take a break in the designated accessible seating area. Facilities will include a fridge for medication storage, water and glucose drinks, and bowls for guide dogs. A range of accessibility accessories will also be available, including ear defenders and earplugs, sensory fidget packs, hearing aid batteries, glasses repair kits, and sensory glasses.
Stephen Hutchinson, Managing Director of Alpha-Stim, said: “We are excited to be a part of Breathing Space. Alpha-Stim can help users feel calm and less anxious in a short time, making it perfect for people who are overstimulated at events or who struggle to manage in crowds. Combined with the other services on offer, it opens up events like this for people who would otherwise be unable to attend. Busy places can be a minefield for people with anxiety and offering them a space where they can relax can be the difference between them being able to attend or having to stay at home.”
Jess Pullen, Head of Culture, Communication & Engagement at Northamptonshire Mind, added: “We’ve been working with Alpha-Stim for some time, and both our staff and service users have seen real benefits from using the devices. It’s great to see this partnership extend into the events world, helping to make busy environments more accessible for people who may experience anxiety or sensory overwhelm. Breathing Space is a brilliant example of how small, thoughtful adjustments can have a big impact on inclusion and wellbeing. We’re proud to bring our mental health expertise to this partnership, helping to ensure that Breathing Space provides genuine, practical support for attendees who may feel anxious or overwhelmed.”
Sharese Ogden, from ProVis Events, said: “Conferences and events can be noisy, overstimulating and overwhelming, and as a result are inaccessible for many. Even though events make some accessibility adjustments, there is often a big gap between this support and what many people actually need to feel comfortable or able to attend. We created Breathing Space to bridge that gap and offer practical, meaningful solutions to allow more people to attend who would otherwise feel shut out. We also hope to encourage events to become more inclusive by demonstrating how a few small changes can make a big difference.”
This is the first event to feature a Breathing Space stand for attendees. It is hoped the initiative will set a new standard for accessibility and inclusion across the events industry and be rolled out at key events across the UK in the future.
For more information about Breathing Space, visit www.provis-events.com
For more information about Alpha-Stim, visit www.alpha-stim.com
To learn more about Northamptonshire Mind, visit www.northamptonshiremind.org.uk.
For enquiries or more information, contact Jess Pullen, Head of Culture, Communication & Engagement, Northamptonshire Mind - [email protected]