Local business: The Sensory Studio in Fairy Meadow

The Sensory Studio in Fairy Meadow was born out of a need owner Erin Jamieson wasn’t able to fulfil locally.

At age six, her youngest daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Erin struggled to find sensory aids in Wollongong for her and so decided to create a solution - The Sensory Studio.

The shop not only includes weighted toys, social aids, 'chewables' and fidget toys, but also a separate sensory space at the back of the shop for children and those with additional needs to touch and feel the equipment and have a play.

Here’s Erin’s story…

When and why did you start The Sensory Studio?

We opened in October 2019. I’d had the idea for a little while, but up until then I was unwell and my daughter didn’t cope with that. My youngest daughter has autism. I’d heard about sensory spaces and how they could provide a calming space for children.

The problem was there was nowhere I could purchase the items in Wollongong. So I decided I would open the business myself. I had an IT and accounting background and I’d grown up in a small family business.

What sort of comments do you get from customers?

It’s become a bit of a safe space for parents of kids with needs. I’ve got what I call the Mum’s Chair. Sometimes people, if they’re feeling a bit flat after school drop off, they come in and have a coffee. It calms them down. I originally envisioned having only children in here, but I have a lot of adults and teenagers too. We see a lot of mental health or people who suffer anxiety, especially after COVID. We’ve been able to help them with our weighted products and little fidgety toys to keep hands busy and keep minds calm.

I get a lot of comments like “thanks for being here”. I’m so humbled by the response I get. I have to pinch myself about what we do. I don’t see it as a job. I’m passionate about helping people. It’s not just a shop.

Why did you choose to set up in Fairy Meadow?

We live in Keiraville, so not too far away. We do our grocery shopping in Fairy Meadow, so we’re familiar with the place. I didn't want to go into Wollongong. Being a sensory place, I had to be conscious of the space and it not being overwhelming. Having a wide street frontage here rather than a narrow footpath is good, because we have children that are runners. Having a clean bathroom is important, because every day I hand the key to the toilet to a mum with a child. I needed a safe and accessible place, that wasn't busy or overwhelming and where parking wasn’t an issue. It’s a nice community in Fairy Meadow and everyone is so helpful.

How have you been able to manage through COVID?

With the first COVID lockdown, we’d only just started an online store, so we had to diversify very quickly. Before that, we were only a bricks and mortar store. That was really hard. I’d only been in business less than six months. After that, it picked up reasonably well. As more people got to know us, the word got out.

The past few months have been difficult with having to get back to online only again. I guess it was disheartening what we were facing again in the world but we’re still here.

What are some of the most popular items you sell?

We’ve had lots of babies - maybe they’re COVID babies - so everyone’s coming in to get things for bubs and 6-12 month olds. We’ve got some chew necklaces. We get a lot of children and adults who chew their clothes. We have chewable jewellery that doesn’t look out of place. It’s more discreet.

We have lots of books and weighted toys. For those who are not able to have a real dog, they get a weighted toy because they’re quite life-like. Some even go to the pet shop and get a bed for them. The weight has a positive effect on the nervous system which helps with calming and self regulations. We sell most of our toys to adults.

What are your future plans for the business?

I'd love to expand and have a bigger space if the right space comes along. It would help us to offer more things. It’s nice being a cosy store and it certainly helps our customers that we’re more compact, but we’d love the extra space to introduce more.

Learn more about The Sensory Studio in Fairy Meadow.

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