An inpatient mental health unit has opened at Berrywood Hospital in Northampton to boost specialist mental health care for children and adolescents.
The unit, known as The Sett, is part of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
“The Sett is a first-class facility which offers young people a safe and welcoming space while they receive the care and treatment they need. Having therapy, learning and relaxation spaces all in one place makes a real difference to recovery,” said Dr Tiff Webster, Director of Children and Young People’s Services at NHFT.
The refurbished facility has relocated from a stand-alone site into the main Berrywood Hospital campus, enabling closer integration with other clinical services while retaining a distinct, youth-friendly identity.
The project was delivered in partnership with Fleet Architects and T&B Contractors, who overcame significant space constraints to create a facility that maximises natural light and flexibility.
The Sett works alongside the neighbouring Burrows CAMHS inpatient unit, with the two services together providing 20 inpatient beds for children and young people who need round-the-clock mental health care.
The unit also features an activity room, informal communal areas, classrooms, a therapy room, a kitchen and outdoor spaces.
Officially opened this month, The Sett has already gained national recognition, winning multiple accolades at the Building Better Healthcare Awards, including two gold awards and a silver for its design and delivery.
Designed in collaboration with young people
Marie James, Service Manager for the unit, said feedback from young people had been central to the design process.
“They told us clearly that they didn’t want a hospital-like environment. We worked hard to create a space that feels comfortable and supportive, while still meeting all the clinical and safety requirements,” said James.
The opening forms part of a wider programme to improve children and young people’s mental health services across Northamptonshire and the wider East Midlands, with an increased focus on integrated care and patient-centred environments.
NHFT said the new unit reflects a growing recognition that the design of healthcare spaces plays a crucial role in supporting recovery and wellbeing for young people during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.