Reflections from our Sensory-Informed Design webinar, and October News
October has been full of inspiring conversations about how design can support recovery and wellbeing. Here’s what’s been happening across the DIMHN community.
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Notice of our Annual General Meeting
The Design in Mental Health Network’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Tuesday, 19th November 2025 from 10am to 10:45 am.
In accordance with our Articles of Association, members are hereby given formal notice at least 21 days in advance.
Outline agenda:
- Minutes of the previous AGM
- Chair’s Report – a review of our activities, performance, and achievements over the past year
- Financial Report – presentation of annual accounts by the Treasurer
- Confirmation of an independent examiner for the coming year
- Appointment of new Trustees
The Success of the Brook Webinar: Sensory-Informed Design in Practice
On 1 October 2025, over 300 professionals from across healthcare, design, and lived experience joined our webinar exploring The Brook, a new inpatient unit shaped by sensory-informed design.
Together with NHS England South West and Devon Partnership NHS Trust, we examined how thoughtful choices in lighting, colour, acoustics, and layout can transform therapeutic impact, safety, and wellbeing.
From co-production and strategic planning to the integration of nature and sensory regulation, the session demonstrated how design decisions can significantly impact recovery.
“Sensory-informed design isn’t about spending more, it’s about choosing differently,” reflected Charlotte Burrows, DiMHN CEO.
You can now read the full reflections and key takeaways, download the presentation slides, and watch the full recording.
“Sensory-informed design isn’t about spending more, it’s about choosing differently,”
reflected Charlotte Burrows, DiMHN CEO.
More Webinars Afoot: Shared Learning, Shared Impact
We have plans to grow our webinar series, bringing together designers, clinicians, individuals with lived experience, and partners from across the sector to share practical insights into how good design can improve mental health outcomes.
Each webinar we host or co-host will explore real-world projects and research, with every webinar followed by a written reflection and resource pack, all available through our central Webinar page under ‘Our Work’.
We’re always looking to collaborate. If you’re interested in co-hosting, presenting, or sharing your experience of design in mental health environments, from innovative products to lived experience insights, we’d love to hear from you.
A big thank you to Cath, Paula and Steve
After ten years on the DiMHN Board, including the past two as our Vice Chair, Cath Lake is stepping down from her trustee role. We’re deeply grateful for everything Cath has brought to the Network over the past decade.
A passionate advocate for co-design and the power of lived experience, Cath has been instrumental in shaping DiMHN’s collaborative ethos. She led the creation of the Stakeholder Engagement book within the Design with People in Mind book series. She helped launch our Commercial Membership scheme, bringing many new supporters into our growing community.
Cath’s commitment has extended well beyond the boardroom, from providing wise counsel and steady leadership as Vice Chair to representing the Network at countless events and exhibitions. We’re delighted that Cath won’t be going far, continuing to stay involved as a DiMHN Associate.
Thank you, Cath, for your dedication, warmth, and unwavering belief in the difference good design can make.
Our work in research and education at DiMHN is built on years of academic and practical collaboration. We are deeply grateful to Professor Paula Reavey and Professor Steven Brown for their outstanding leadership and dedication.
Their work, particularly through the Design with People in Mind series, has been instrumental in establishing DiMHN as a trusted authority on evidence-based best practice in mental health environments.
With 10 publications to date, this series translates research into accessible insights, offering practical recommendations, global case studies, and actionable takeaways that have guided real-world improvements in mental health settings.
We are also pleased to announce that DIMHN Associate Dr Paul Hanna will lead our next phase of the Design with People in Mind series. Paul is a chartered psychologist with extensive experience in academia and industry, as well as expertise in mental health, community psychology, innovative participatory methodologies, and community engagement.
His leadership will continue to ensure that the series translates rigorous research into practical, actionable insights that improve mental health environments.
The Environmental Hub
Creating Environments That Support Recovery
The Environmental Hub is a free, open-access resource dedicated to improving the design of environments where people live, work, and receive care.
Developed by NHS England South West and partners, it is now stewarded by the Design in Mental Health Network, ensuring it remains open, practical, and evidence-led.
The Hub brings together guidance on lighting, sound, colour, furniture, and space planning, alongside research, toolkits, and real-world examples that show how design can support dignity, safety, and recovery.
We invite DIMHN Corporate Members and collaborators to contribute case studies, research, or design insights that will help the Hub continue to grow.
The BRE scheme has moved from certification to verification
Informed Choices Testing & Verification Scheme
The environments and products used in mental health settings have a profound impact on patient and staff safety. Yet, clinicians, estates teams, and service leaders often face inconsistent guidance when selecting products.
That’s why DiMHN, in partnership with BRE and a wide range of clinical, operational, design, and manufacturing experts, has the Informed Choices Testing & Verification Scheme.
The scheme aims to:
- Support decision makers to balance safety, performance, and therapeutic design.
- Make it easier to compare and specify products.
- Encourage product innovation while ensuring consistent safety standards.
- Provide a shared framework and common language for discussing risk.
- Grow a list of verified products helping everyone involved in mental health design make informed, evidence-based choices.
The Verification Process:
Initial conversations → Testing & report production → Technical document review → Final verification.
To find out more, visit https://dimhn.org/informed-choices
Design in Mental Health - The Conference - Images and Talking Slots
Our Event partners at the Design in Mental Health conference are seeking striking images that highlight person-centred, trauma-informed and evidence-based design in mental health settings. If you have a relevant image you would like to include, the deadline is the 31st of October, 2025.
Show how design makes a difference.
Call for Conference Presentations
This could be your opportunity to share your insights at Design in Mental Health 2026 and engage with a community passionate about improving mental health environments.
Themes include technology, compassionate inpatient design, community care, workforce wellbeing, inclusion, and sustainability. The deadline is the 20th of October.
