Subject: Funding request to attend Design in Mental Health 2025 Conference

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Dear [fill in Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to request funding to attend the Design in Mental Health 2025 Conference, scheduled for 3-4 June 2025 at Manchester Central. This relates to NHS commitments on: [fill in commitment, such as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) / investment project XXX].

This event is dedicated to advancing the design, safety and operational effectiveness of mental health environments, bringing together professionals from various disciplines and countries to share experience, insights and innovation. It also is the only UK exhibition for specific mental health equipment products and services from specialist suppliers for safe, therapeutic environments.

This unique annual event is in its 12th year, and is organised by the Design in Mental Health Network, a registered UK Charity (number: 1162561) with the sole purpose of improving patient outcomes through better design.

NHS Relevance:

As our [fill in your Role or Title as appropriate, such as:  NHS Clinician / Estates and Facilities Manager / Capital Projects Manager / Procurement Manager], staying informed about the latest advancements in mental health facility design and products is crucial for our duty of care.

Attending this conference aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality mental health services. The event’s focus on evidence-based design strategies, service user voices and independent product testing, aligns with our commitments and can inform our ongoing and future projects, ensuring that our facilities promote care environments that enhance patient safety, well-being and staff efficiency.

NHS Key Benefits:

Educational Advancement:

The conference offers a comprehensive programme, including keynotes, seminars, and workshops, covering themes such as clinical and operational learning, collaboration and partnership innovation, and person-centred approaches. Engaging with these topics will enhance our team’s knowledge and application of best practices.

The Quality & Safeguarding Lead from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said of their attendance in 2024, “[I] really enjoyed the couple of days, some great talks and exhibitors. I was able to take a lot back to practice.”

Network, share ideas and compare experiences with healthcare colleagues and service users:

The event facilitates interactions with other NHS bodies, as well as with lived-experience experts, architects, academics, contractors, and service designers. The opportunity to share experience with, and learn from, other NHS organisations who are facing similar challenges to ours and who have already worked with some of the suppliers on show, is of particular value.

An Occupational Therapist, from Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust who attended in 2024 described it as, “A great opportunity to increase clinical knowledge in this area and to be able to network with other professionals.”

Meeting our product and service needs for new and ongoing projects in a cost- and time-efficient manner:

The accompanying exhibition will give me the opportunity to test out, discuss and compare product and service offerings from over 60 specialist suppliers, many of whom are already on NHS frameworks. I will be able to get a good idea of the market and learn about innovations and new products that can save us time and money, and help improve service levels.

An Experience & Involvement Facilitator from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust said, “I found it a good opportunity to look at all the different options & ask lots of questions, as well as give feedback to companies from an expert-by-experience angle.”

NHS Budget / Value:

The cost of a one-day conference delegate pass is £285 / two-day conference delegate pass is £465 [delete as appropriate], which includes access to all sessions, workshops, and the exhibition.

Investing in this opportunity will yield long-term benefits by equipping us with knowledge and resources to ensure provision of safe, therapeutic and effective facilities and, ultimately, to improve patient outcomes.

I estimate that I would need an additional £[Insert Amount] to cover accommodation, travel to and from the event and subsistence.

This makes the total funding request £[Insert Amount].

I believe that attending the Design in Mental Health 2025 Conference will significantly contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional mental health care.

I appreciate your consideration of this request and am available to discuss it further.

Regards,