Swindon Woman Smashes Late Brother’s Belongings at Rage Room to Cope With Grief
Ellie Goudie paid to destroy her late brother Ryan's possessions with a baseball bat in a Swindon rage room. Operators say a growing number of women use such venues to release grief and stress, while a University of Bristol psychologist says they cannot replace long-term therapy.
Ellie Goudie smashed her dead brother's belongings with a baseball bat in a Swindon rage room, saying it helped her cope with losing him. Her brother Ryan died aged 23, and she could not bear the thought of anyone else having his things.
Instead, she paid to destroy them. That included his beloved television.
"That was his. He can't have it any more, so no one should," she said.
A growing number of women
Rage rooms are venues where customers pay to break household items with baseball bats and crowbars in a controlled setting. Operators say many visitors come during hard periods, including bereavement, trauma, relationship breakdowns and stress.
Ellie is one of a growing number of women using them. At The Rabbit Hole Rage Room in Swindon, owner Paul Bunney said about 70% of customers are women.
He said he sees a visible change in people after a session. "They're hot, they're sweaty, and they've got rid of a lot of emotion," he said.
Visitors travel from across the region. They smash items destined for landfill, such as printers, crockery, hifi systems, kettles and old wine bottles. Bunney said materials are often separated and recycled afterwards.
Release without talking
For Ellie, the appeal was relief after months of grief. "I felt Ryan in here. He probably was doing it with me," she said.
"You're taking out your anger and you don't have to talk," she added.
A similar story has emerged at Raging Bath, a rage room in Bath. Its owner, Charlotte Bagnall, said what began as a fun attraction became something more meaningful. "I think everyone at the moment needs release," she said.
Ceri Crannis booked sessions for her family after her daughter was stillborn. "You don't get that release in therapy when you're talking," she said.
She believes rage rooms give women a rare chance to express suppressed emotion. "Social norms are geared up that women are well behaved, they don't swear, you don't break anything," she said.
Another visitor, Sarah Bear, called it "a really safe, controlled way to do it". She said there might be tears at the end as relief washes over visitors, but that it is worth it.
What an expert says
Dr Nilu Ahmed, associate professor of psychology and inclusion at the University of Bristol, said the immediate relief is no surprise. "It's hugely helpful in that moment," she said.
She explained that a set time limit gives people a sense of containment, so they know the session will end. But Ahmed said rage rooms cannot replace long-term therapy.
