NEWS


Autism sensory bedroom a ‘vehicle for engagement’


A collaboration between architects, Gilling Dod, GD*iD, Kingsway Group, and Britplas, together with experts by experience provided by the Caudwell Children charity, has seen the development of a CAMHS Autism Sensory Bedroom project. A full-size mock-up is


currently under construction in Kent for further interrogation, with future iterations planned. Gilling Dod explained: “Following a chance conversation at DiMH in 2022, a dialogue began among like-minded designers and suppliers around how best to design truly productive and person-centred personal spaces in mental healthcare settings. Reflecting on recently completed CAMHS builds, children and young people with autism, learning disabilities, and pronounced neurodiversity, were identified as a perfect pathway to explore from a design perspective – being an emerging area of focus, with best practice applicable across all mental healthcare settings. As such the CAMHS Autism Sensory Bedroom project was born.”


Gilling Dod added: “Ultimately, the


project is a vehicle for engagement and co-production in a sphere not normally the designer’s arena. The bedroom design


Construction


workers can ‘escape to the beach’ via immersive pod


Construction firm, Graham, recently launched an ‘Immersive Pod’ experience to improve the mental health of builders on its Mossley Hill mental health facility site in Liverpool. The company says the Pod’s purpose


developed is not the ‘answer’ to the question, more the start of the conversation. The interior design draws heavily on hands- on engagement with the Caudwell Children charity, including workshops at its annual family fun day with young people, their families, and carers.” ASD-specific theme drivers explored included daily routines, typical ‘hotspots’ and sensory triggers for young people with autism, communication and engagement issues – particularly non-verbal, stimulus control, visual clutter and acoustics, personalisation and choice, play and expression, and iconography and form. These transposed into design solutions around joinery detailing, frameless windows, managed views, tactile materials, personalisation, and sensory design.


New Associates and Vice-Chair named


The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) has welcomed a number of new Associates to support marketing strategy, research, and conference advisory, while Vice-Chair, Jonathan Campbell, has been succeeded by Cath Lake as Vice-Chair. DiMHN Chair, Philip Ross, said: “DIMHN has had the benefit of many committed volunteers over the years, spending a couple days most months working in the background to help. Jonathan is a sterling example, playing a significant role in delivering the conference every year, leading the advisory board that finds speakers, and helping to curate our world- class conference. Due to work and family


commitments, he has decided to step down from the board and Vice-Chair role. I thank him for all he has done to support the charity over the years. I’d also like to thank Cath for putting herself forward, and for the Board’s unanimous support for her to take on the Vice-Chair role. Cath has been on the Board for quite some time, knows the charity and mental health sector very well, and also has extensive experience in design and leadership as a director role at P+HS Architects. I’m looking forward to this next chapter working with Cath to continue to support the growth of our reach here at DIMHN.” The new associates are Victoria Jordan, Mark Childs, Paul Yeomans, Neil Orpwood, Susan Grant, Karen Flatt, Paul Hanna, Caroline Mulholland, and Alan Newman. To find out more, see the DIMHN’s dedicated website page at: https:// dimhn.org/board-and- associates/


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is ‘to provide a captivating environment for people to sit back, relax, and enjoy the virtual reality experience’. The Immersive Pod allows people to take a break from their working day and ‘escape to the beach for 20 minutes’. Each individual can create their own personal experience by choosing their preferred background noise and lighting, while having access to a range of health and wellbeing services available through inbuilt technology. Graham said: “Through visualisation and immersion, the Pod can help strengthen and improve people’s body and mind connection, allowing them to reap the awards of greater wellbeing and mindfulness. The soothing sounds, soft lighting, and relaxing environment, help alleviate sensory overload.” “Graham is committed to promoting good mental health and wellbeing by providing innovative initiatives that will develop and nurture our staff,” explained David Daly, Wellbeing Manager at Graham (pictured in the Pod). “We are always looking at ways to do things differently – the Immersive Pod being our latest concept.” Peter Reavey, Regional director at


Graham, said: “We are delighted to be piloting the Immersive Pod on our Mossley Hill mental health facility project on Merseyside. We hope the site team finds this experience not only enjoyable, but also beneficial for their mental health and wellbeing. Graham’s aim is to be able to roll out this initiative across other project sites soon.”


MAY 2024 | THE NETWORK


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