Speakers: Dr Kate Holden, Learning Officer, Great North Museum and David O’Coimin, Director, Nook
Think Small is a practical case study exploring how the introduction of a sensory pod at Great North Museum: Hancock has enhanced visitor experience, accessibility, and wellbeing.
Drawing on direct user feedback and staff perspectives, this session reveals how a relatively small intervention can have a significant impact—supporting visitors to regulate, rest, and remain engaged in what can otherwise be an overwhelming environment.
These pods are certified sensory support spaces, designed to give people greater autonomy and control over how they experience environments. Now used across workplaces, education, hospitals, and libraries, they demonstrate how thoughtful design can support a wider range of needs without complexity or disruption.
Attendees will gain insight into how the pod is being used in real-world conditions, the measurable benefits reported by visitors, and the operational learnings from the museum team. From enabling longer visits to creating a greater sense of safety and comfort, the findings highlight the growing importance of sensory-aware design in public spaces.
This talk is ideal for those looking to improve inclusion, enhance visitor experience, and deliver meaningful change through focused, human-centred design.
Dr Kate Holden
David O’Coimin
