Hi, my name is Elaine, and I'm building something I wish I had when I needed it most — a peaceful sanctuary where neurodivergent people can just be.
Why this matters to me
Like many others, I’ve spent years trying to function in a world that wasn’t designed for the way my brain works. I’m autistic, I have ADHD, and I’ve navigated burnout, misdiagnosis, isolation, and the quiet exhaustion of always trying to explain myself.
I was never really helped in the way I needed. I didn’t want to be “fixed” — I needed space, understanding, slowness, and quiet support. Most of all, I needed a place to rest and feel safe without judgment, stimulation, or pressure.
That place didn’t exist. So now I’m building it.
The vision
I'm creating a small sanctuary in rural France: a calm, sensory-friendly space designed especially for people like me — people who need softness, quiet, and care.
It will be:
- A low-stimulation space: natural textures, soft lighting, quiet zones.
- A place for deep rest and decompression.
- A setting for gentle, optional activities like woodworking, foraging, crafting, mindfulness, and nature walks — at your own pace.
- A retreat that honors neurodivergent rhythms: no forced socializing, no performance pressure, no toxic positivity.
Eventually, a place for low-cost short stays for others who need to escape the noise, recover from burnout, or reconnect with themselves.
I want to include:
- A “weighted blanket cuddle corner” for deep relaxation.
- Outdoor nooks for forest bathing and stimming without stares.
- Optional creative workshops, nature-based healing, and tea served silently if you need it.
Why I need your help
I’ve found a beautiful piece of land where this dream could begin. But I can’t do this alone. I’m trying to raise €15,000 to cover the purchase of the land and start preparing it for its first visitors.
I’m putting in all my savings, skills (I'm a hands-on builder and designer), and time. I’ve already started sketching the layouts, researching natural materials, and planning the space with love and intention. Every euro you donate goes directly into making this vision real.
Who this is for
Autistic people and ADHDers who feel overwhelmed by the world
People recovering from burnout or sensory overload
Neurodivergent creatives and healers looking for connection without pressure
Anyone who’s ever felt like they had to perform wellness instead of living it
If you've ever needed a place to go and just be, this is for you.
You can help build something real
This isn’t a company or a therapy business — it’s a human trying to make a safe, healing space for other humans.
If you believe in a world with more softness and less shame… if you’ve ever wished for a place like this…
please help me build it. Share, donate, or just send a kind word.
You’re not alone. And soon, others won’t have to be either.
Organizer
Elaine van de Loo
Organizer