ATTENTION: event planners, conference hosts, & Festival visionaries

Want To Make Inclusion and Accessibility Easier?

We've all been there. Been super hyped up for an in person event. Your travel doesn't go to plan, the weather is weird, there's too much on the itinerary, the lights, sounds, smells, chatter, and choices get overwhelming fast. You find yourself trying to decide if you should go back to your hotel, power through and force a smile, dip out and be a tourist instead, or cut your losses and head home early.

What if there was a space dedicated to go destress, take a pause, tap into your senses and recalibrate?

A place where you can still be at the event while honouring your need for tapping, doodling, moving your body, tactile learning, or even just less big lights?

A place to take a break, feel more like yourself, and make empowered choice on how to engage rather than a hasty choice made out of a stress response—Sensory Balance Space was created with you in mind.

READY to find out how to have a sensory balance space at your next event?

Get Your Personalized Quote

Fill out this quick form with details about your event and Cheryl will send you a personalized quote within two business days! Or email cheryl@cherylfolland.ca subject SENSORY BALANCE SPACE to get started.

MEET THE FOUNDER & facilitator

Hey, I'm Cheryl!

I started Sensory Balance Space as an answer to a very personal problem. I have the best intentions every year to attend the weekly summer night market in my city, and week after week, year after year I felt left out and ashamed.

I have late discovered autism that impacts my ability to filter out all the sights, sounds, smells, temperatures and textures coming from every direction in dynamic environments. Having a place where I could go, destress, and make a plan of engagement once there would make all the difference!

I pair neuro-somatics, breathwork, and psychological principles with play and creativity to foster a safer space to deal with social anxiety and stored frenetic energy in the body.

Sensory Stimulating Items

Reduced Lighting

Conversation & Companionship

Lived experience & Advocacy

Does this sound familiar?

  • Your live event starts off strong and partway through you notice guests are tapering off or checking out.

  • Day three of your conference has less attendance than day two even though it's the most enticing.

  • Feedback often includes "there was so much to choose from, I wish I had more time", "I didn't even know where to start", "it felt like a whirlwind", "I should've planned more breaks".

Don't worry, I can help!

Past partners & clients

Women of Influence Network Nanaimo
Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Island Regional Library

Who's This Perfect For

Event Planners

Awards galas

business retreats

conferences

trade shows

weddings

celebrations

networking events

festivals

The Sensory Balance Space Effect:

Stay Present

By tapping into the felt senses, guests are able to get out of their heads and into their bodies. This reminds the body that it is safe and supported in the here and now.

Self Soothing

Guests build self trust through managing their own stress responses in a controlled environment. This allows new pathways of possibility for managing stress in the future

Empowerment

Having control over sensory input in this context allows guests to apply what they learn in other spaces. Take home items provide longterm solutions.

Felt Sense Activities

Much like other methods of mindfullness, felt sense activities require a presence of mind in the NOW. Most, not all, social anxiety sits in the unknown or the LATER, by anchoring in the NOW guests experience more calm and focus

Neurodivergent Expertise

A service created by neurodivergent people with neurodivergent people in mind. While every person can benefit from sensory support, this space is designed with ADHD, Autism, and other Neurodivergent folks in mind.

Personal Connection

Our hosts are gifted connectors, trauma informed, and neuro-somatic certified practitioners. That means they've been trained on how to spot, support, and guide people in times of emotional distress back to feeling like they're in control of their emotions .

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying

"I was finally able to attend the event of the season!"

"Sensory Balance Space gave me the ability to enjoy the interactions of a big crowd while having a safe place to take a break instead of feeling overwhelmed. If it hadn't had been available, I wouldn't have attended the event at all" - Liv

"Every Event Needs This"

"Why don't more live events have a space like this? Why aren't you at everything, everywhere ever? I would come to so many more events if a place like this existed for when I need a break." - Guest

STILL NOT SURE?

Frequently Asked Questions

I understand! You want your event to be the absolute best for your guests.

What Are Your Rates?

Sensory Balance Space starts at $700.00 Canadian. Price varies based on multiple factors like marketing arrangements, specific item requests, travel, accommodations, size of event, decor, if furniture is supplied by the venue or needs to be included in the fee etc.If you’d like to get a few comparative complimentary quotes, fill out this quick form and someone will get back to you within a week!

Do you have a non-profit rate??

While we work as best we can with nonprofit organizations to have a mutually beneficial agreement for their events, Queer Alchemy believes that disabled artists (and all artists) have the right to fair compensation for their work. Instead, we invite nonprofit organizations to submit a budget with their request and we go from there. Past nonprofit organizations have found sponsors willing to completely cover the cost of the SBS, allowing 100% of donations raised at their events to go to the cause while fairly compensating disabled and queer business owners. Win win.

When Is Payment Due?

A non-refundable or transferable deposit is due at the time of signing your agreement to hold the dates and begin ordering supplies. The amount of that deposit will depend on a variety of factors like the size and scope of the event, if travel and lodgings are to be included in the fee or paid directly to travel & hospitality vendors. Usually about 25% of the total cost. Queer Alchemy is happy to offer payment plans without hidden fees. All invoices are due in full no later than seven days prior to the event except in the case of Non Profits. Non Profits are required to pay their invoice within their regular operations schedule as determined by their Treasurer or Society Bylaws, usually within 30 days of receipt.

Is There a Minimum Attendance Requirement?

We have solutions for all event sizes. Some events benefit from personalized Sensory Balance Support kits example: intimate remote retreats, destination weddings, private residence events. Only you know whether a room dedicated to Nervous System Support will benefit your size of event. Let’s have a chat on pros and cons and find the best path forward for the best event experience.

Do You Travel??

Yes, Sensory Balance Stations are available for travel to most countries. The service fee for travel packages includes the cost of travel and accommodation for the duration of the event.We are currently not serving the USA at this time as the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory there for groups our staff belong to.

What is included in a Sensory Balance Space??

No matter which package level you choose for your event, every Sensory Balance Space with come with at least one staff member and items designed to engage and soothe each one of the felt senses sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste. For our spiritual entrepreneurs, Queer Alchemy also offers an energetic medicine, somatic support, and tarot for selfcare option.

Why Sensory Balance?

There are different reasons folks need a sensory supportive environment. Some folks are sensory seeking and benefit from bright colours, vivid lights, sounds, smells, flavours and excitement. Some folks are sensory avoidant or stimulus sensitive. In both cases, having items like stim toys, colour therapy, somatic work, sound frequency, texture, reduced lighting and hot/cold items allow all guests to focus their stress and anxiety on one thing they can control. That sense of control and targeting sensory engagements helps bring them out of a stress response and back into an empowered state.

Are Kids Welcome?

Sensory Balance Space rooms are not “for kids” and unsupervised minors are prohibited. All are welcome with a responsible adult over the age of majority in your country or Province (19 in BC, 18 in AB etc). This allows us to keep the costs low without requiring extensive insurance and other legal red tape. This space is designed with adults in mind. It is up to the discretion of the event planner if it is an adult only space.

Can a Sensory Balance Space Be Outdoors?

No. We recommend a trailer at an outdoor event with temperature control as temperature can be enough to dysregulate an over or under stimulated guest. The vision is to foster an ideal environment as an escape and a reset to recharge guests batteries. Being indoors allows muffled sound, light control, temperature control and in some cases a live feed of the event even with subtitles whenever possible.

What Type of Events is This Good For?

Business Conferences, Women’s Events, Pride Celebrations, Training Intensives/Retreats, Music and Cultural Festivals, Concerts & Dance Showcases, Sporting Events, Events 2 Hours + in length

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Contact Cheryl: cheryl@cherylfolland.ca

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