Step Exhibitions
Silverwood – Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Nominee Information
From its inception, individuals with lived experience have played a central role in the design and decision- making for Silverwood. We recognised from an early stage the vital role that service users have in ensuring that Silverwood would not only be fit-for-purpose but would be a facility that has a shared sense of ownership and weaves the legacy of those with previous inpatient experiences to ensure that the future service users at Silverwood can recover in the best possible facilities.
A dedicated Lived Experience Group (LEG) was set up on the principles of two-way communication. These meetings were co-chaired by Wendy Smith, a service user, who was externally employed by Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, to ensure the Trust were ‘held to account’ and so that people could provide honest feedback to an independent representative.
Her role was integral to ensuring successful continuous collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders. She had the responsibility of representing voices of people with lived experience at various decision-making forums, and supported the team in sharing project news and gathering feedback to the various networks such as FoCUS (Forum of carers and people who use services), Carers Action Group, and the Independent Mental Health Network.
Extensive research was conducted to help inform the early stages of design. Surveys, group discussions and interviews explored what aids recovery and healing. Art and interior design played a crucial role in shaping Silverwood’s therapeutic environment. Sensory workshops directly influenced the look and feel of the spaces. The wallcovering designs, created by artist Kate Bond, emerged from creative workshops held with service users and colleagues. Through this process, the unique identity of Silverwood was brought to life.
Engagement was not one dimensional, we adopted innovative methods including virtual reality headsets, digital 3D walkthroughs and furniture showcases. Online polls were employed across our social media for key decisions including exterior façade colours, building and ward names. We held forums outside of standard work hours to target different populations. Utilising these channels enabled a broad audience to participate, fostering a sense of ownership and making sure a range of voices were heard.
Recognising the emotional significance of the former unit’s closure and demolition, we invited previous service users to sign bricks from the old building, symbolising its closure. These have been made into planters in Silverwood’s therapy garden.
Service users were invited to meetings to support the clinical team finessing their operational processes. Furthermore, we developed staff training that was led by experts by experience to help shape the culture we want to embed within Silverwood.
Finally, a project highlight was facilitating a sleepover where over 60 people attended including staff, members of the design and build team and service users to experience an overnight stay to stress test the facilities before opening and to experience the facility as a service user would.
We have shown consistent commitment throughout this project to ensuring that the voices of people who use our services are essential and central to successful project outcomes.
