Tenant Social Value Group gives boost to community wellbeing

Conquest Centre team standing together at the centre, marking a community wellbeing project with staff and a therapy dog.

'Social value' is vital to our commitment to our communities and as part of the Housing team's procurement processes, we invite contractors to include an element of ‘Social Value’ within their proposals. Thanks to these generous contributions, our Tenant Social Value Group is able to work with sustainable, targeted projects to provide invaluable additional support and resources that benefit not just our tenants, but our whole community.

Since opening in 1965 as a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) centre, Conquest Centre in Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton has evolved in response to changing client needs and funding requirements.

Today, the centre is an inclusive service offering therapeutic support to individuals of all ages and abilities. It provides a safe, natural, and non-judgemental environment that promotes emotional, social, physical, and mental wellbeing.

A key feature of the Conquest Centre’s inclusive environment has always been its Sensory room - a crucial space for individuals with autism, anxiety, and sensory processing needs – which was in urgent need of refurbishment.

Thanks to funding from local companies EEM and MD Group-Electric heating, the room has now been completely transformed.

The new sensory room is bright, welcoming, and equipped with interactive light panels, tactile walls, calming furnishings, and sound/vibration features. Its flexible design accommodates diverse needs, creating a safe, soothing space for children, families, and individuals experiencing trauma or emotional distress.

The impact has been immediate: improved engagement, relaxation, and increased demand. More than a standalone feature, the sensory room integrates with other therapies, reinforcing Conquest’s holistic approach to wellbeing. It is accessible to the wider community, helping reduce stigma around mental health and neurodiversity.

Built for sustainability, the room will remain a cornerstone of Conquest’s long-term strategy, inspiring future innovations such as expanded forest school and animal-assisted programmes. This project exemplifies how targeted funding can create lasting change - supporting inclusion, resilience, and community wellbeing.

Jess Dixon, Conquest Centre Manager told us:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected for funding by the Council’s Tenant Social Value Group. The impact of the transformation has been immediate. We’ve seen increased engagement, relaxation, and demand for the Sensory room which is more than just a standalone feature; the room now integrates seamlessly with other therapies, really strengthening Conquest Centre’s holistic approach to wellbeing. Importantly, it is open to our wider community, helping to reduce stigma around mental health and neurodiversity. We are deeply grateful to EEM and MD Group-Electric heating for their contributions, making this transformation possible and to the Council's Tenant Social Value Group who got the project off the ground!"

The room was officially opened on 19 December 2025 by the Tenants Social Value Group and a plaque was erected to mark the occasion.