More than a room with a view

Sarah Williams (Inclusive design)

Significant mental health issues can affect 1 in 6 adults (Office for the National Population and Census Surveys), and it is often those with mental health issues who feel most isolated and hidden from the rest of society:

“All societies have struggled with the impact of mental illness, and rejection and avoidance of mentally disabled people are common. Even when the mad have been accorded a place of honour, as in cultures that believe mentally ill people have been touched by the Great Spirit, they have remained outside the group and have been feared.” (Sam Sussman writing in 'The British Medical Journal').

Creating ‘green’ places, which can be accessed easily and safely, can improve people’s quality of life. The landscape can offer a ‘restorative’ place, away from stress, where we can relate to the seasons and natural elements and experience physical and psychological well-being.

An article by Diane Relf, writing in Plants and Human Well-being (Stoneham and Kendle 1998), related a study of college students who were under stress from an exam, which found that 'views of plants increased positive feelings and reduced fear and anger (Ulrich, 1979)'. And in another similar study looking at plants and their effects showed 'physiological changes related to recovery from stress, including lower blood pressure and reduced muscle tension (Ulrich and Simons, 1986).’

As Ulrich has demonstrated in his work, we have an intrinsic link to nature and something as simple as a view of trees from the hospital bed, results in shorter post-operative stays. There are ‘.. fewer potent pain drugs and fewer negative staff evaluations about patient conditions among those with a natural view.’ (Stoneham and Kendle 1998).

A study between Tonic and Nottingham University, investigating the built environment on health outcomes, showed that….’patient focused design significantly improved patient recovery rates, reduced the need for sleep and pain management drugs, provided a more positive hospital experience and reduced stress levels amongst staff. It follows that a better understanding of the patient priorities for the design of a hospital leads to positive impact on health outcomes.’ (Gail Bolland, Tonic, 2002)

The above study demonstrates the importance of involving people in the design process in order to achieve ‘healthier’ environments, which we can all enjoy using. Although we know how necessary user involvement is, it seems apparent that little research has been carried out into methods of consultation regarding the outdoor environment. At the Sensory Trust we continue to build on the work of Richard Price and Jane Stoneham, which is published in Making Connections – A Guide to Accessible Greenspace (2001). In one particular case study, ‘Milton Keynes- surveys and profiling’, quantitive user surveys were employed in order to monitor the patterns of use, perceptions, preferences and characteristics of park visitors. The surveys objectives included; investigating perceptions of safety, where people look for information, and investigating the importance of certain features to park users.

It is also important to look at creative consultation with the hospital communities. Organisations such as Arts for Health, and Peter Senior of the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) have done great work in this area. MMU Researcher and founder member of the Inspired Arts Movement, Langley Brown states in a paper he delivered at the World Symposium on Culture, Health and the Arts, April 1999, ‘……the benefits of involvement in the arts which are particularly relevant to people with mental health needs: An opportunity to influence the social, physical and political environment, i.e. to change life.’

Many people find it difficult or intimidating to express their ideas and views through traditional meeting forums. Offering people the opportunity to engage in a creative process enables them to explore, in a safe and supportive setting, ideas and issues relating to improving their environment.

Further information:

• Plants and Human Well-being - Stoneham and Kendle, 1998.
• Making Connections: A Guide to Accessible Greenspace - Price and Stoneham, 2001.
• Tonic - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust arts in health programme.
• Visual landscapes and psychological well-being. Landscape Research, ,4(1), 17-23. Ulrich, R. S, 1979.
• The Experience of Nature: A psychological perspective - Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989.

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