Umina supermarket offers 'quiet hour'

A Umina supermarket is offering a "Quiet Hour" for customers who suffer from anxiety and high sensory stress.

Umina Woolworths will dim the store lights and cut sources of excess noise between 10:30am and 11:30am every Tuesday.

The program which started August 22 is designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, including autism, by providing a quieter and less stimulating environment, according to Woolworths group manager Mr Martin Allison

He said the program had been successfully trialled in 87 other NSW Woolworths stores.

"We're delighted to expand Quiet Hour to Umina for the benefit of even more customers," he said.

The low sensory initiative was developed in consultation with disability service providers at Life Without Barriers.

SOURCE:

Media release, 22 Aug 2019

Rebecca Wallisch, PPR