Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces is a collaborative photo project documenting the improvised sanctuaries neurodiverse children create to escape, often after a difficult school day: under beds, in cupboards, up trees etc.
The images, captured by parents, children and myself, reveal the emotional toll of the struggle to navigate a neurotypical world.
The project aims to build a powerful collection of ‘safe spaces’, see below the photos if you’d like to be involved.
Orla, 8: Under the bed is her safe happy space, she loves to pretend to sneeze under there so she could be dropping hints for me to hoover more often.
Rowan, 11: Sensory overload means that sometimes Rowan’s head and body spin and need action and sometimes they need to stay still and quiet. Rowan says 'I go under the blanket to hide from the world and let my brain calm down.'
Rowan, 11: Sensory overload means that sometimes Rowan’s head and body spin and need action and sometimes they need to stay still and quiet. Rowan says 'When I’ve got too much energy I need to bounce it all out.'
Finn, 11: I go to my bed because it’s cosy, warm and safe, a little nest where I can be on my own where it’s quiet and calm.
Noah, 5: Our son’s safe space is an Ikea egg chair with a cover that pulls down, so you can’t see him inside it, except sometimes his legs.
Arthur, 10: He’s either on the armchair, the trampoline or the yellow inflatable peanut. Everything must be in the correct position including remote control and puzzle pieces.
Sophia, 16: My safe space is my bedroom; I hide in my bed and spend hours decompressing. It is the place I feel safest and happiest. It’s where I can control the noises and the smells, and where I can fall apart. I wear my shark blanket when I feel most vulnerable and I always have my emotional support shark to comfort me. I find most things incredibly difficult to cope with, but everything feels better when I’m here. Sophia’s mum says: Her bedroom – and bed specifically – has always been her safe space since she started to struggle at school. She would come home and get into bed, hide under the covers. Now she spends most of her time there, as school has become too much to cope with. She always has her shark, Fergal, but when she feels really dysregulated the shark blanket gives her an extra layer of security.
Mitchell, 7: This is my safe space, sitting in the branches, looking out over all the houses and feeling as free as a bird.
Zara, 8
Ava, 9: Photograph taken by Ava's mum, who says: My daughter was in a state primary school where she was victimised, ostracised and her SEN needs were not properly supported. For a year she refused school most mornings. It was only a few minutes’ walk away but it often took an hour to get there as she didn’t want to leave, or ran back home when halfway there, she would often be tearful and shriek, and fling herself on the tarmac at the gate. She was so distressed she retreated into cocoons and shelters – this photo shows her using the umbrella as a protective shield under which she could take refuge. She would pull her jacket hood over her head and huddle. She also had a pop up tent and a favourite tree stump on which she would crouch, sometimes with the umbrella over her. She wet her bed almost every night with the emotional stress from school. Ava’s mum took this photo as evidence, as the school did not acknowledge the problem.
John, 10: Photograph taken by John's parent, who says: Just sending a photo which is my son’s place of retreat, covered up in his bed. It’s heartbreaking. Not exactly him de-stressing here, but retreating and trying to block out the difficulties. He really struggles with school, every day.
John, 10
Ro, 8: Photograph taken by Ro's parent. Ro is currently being assessed for suspected ADHD, ASD and PDA. She is only able to attend school for 15 minutes a day and then hides under ‘pinky’ until she feels able to face the world.
Jake, 8: Taken by Jake’s parent, who says: As soon as my son is home from school he climbs up this tree and just stands in it watching the world go by. He was very excited the other day as a bird flew right next to his face and sat in the tree with him. He seems to find peace up there.
If I’m able to visit and take a photograph of your child’s ‘safe space’, I’d be very happy to offer a complimentary family portrait as a thank you.
To get in touch:
caroline@carolineclark.co.uk
07855 956572