It was a real honour to be asked to speak at the recent DiMHN (Design in Mental Health Network) symposia which took place at the newly completed Low Secure Step down Building at Guild Park, Whittingham. The network has been in existence since 2006 and is a social enterprise linking people who use, work in and design buildings and products for mental health care with a view to sharing ideas, innovation and experiences. We have been members and supporters of the network since 2007 and find it an invaluable forum by which to stay connected with our end customers and building occupants. The group is chaired by Joe Forster who is the Clinical lead from Merseycare NHST Trust and is closely supported by Carol Bristow who heads up Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s SEED Project. Having successfully worked with both over recent years we were invited to join the network to share our ever expanding experience and innovation in the field of Mental Health Design. The network represents a broad church and brings together contributors from all walks of life from Designers, Contractors and Care providers to Artists, service users and relatives. There are also strong Academic links to both Liverpool John Moors University and UCLAN with Bev Lamey – Senior Lecturer, MA Design for Healthcare, being a member of the network’s Board. Robert MacDonald, Reader in Architecture at JM, is also a regular contributor with his students often using the network to road test new design ideas. My particular ‘slot’ in the day was to give an Architects perspective on our recently completed scheme at Guild lodge. Alongside myself, this month’s event  also saw a presentation by Louise Leahey of GD*id, Soundskills artist Chris Davis (Service user Art project), Consultant Psychiatrist DR Sikabbua of Guild Lodge as well as Ward Manager Craig Lauder who undertook a guided tour of their new Facility. There was also a talk given by Marc Sansom from the International Academy for Design and Health who outlined the possibilities for rolling out the network to a more national and international audience. We are currently in discussions with UCLAN re collaborating on a joint MH Design publication and/or exhibition showcasing our experience. All in all a very interesting event and one which underlines why I find this subject matter so fascinating.

The new £32 Million Lancashire Women and Newborn centre which was completed in November 2010 has hit the headlines.

The new purpose built unit was featured on Granada news as it is now one of the most advanced maternity Units in the UK. The state of the art centre has been designed to look as homely and welcoming as possible, Granada News went along to meet the parents of the first babies delivered in the new facility.

http://www.itv.com/granada/burnley-maternity-centre37482/