Better Environments: Voices of lived experience lead the way at Tolworth Hospital
As our Trust marked the start of Tolworth Hospital’s £110m redevelopment, voices from those at the heart of mental health care took centre stage.
Among the speakers at our groundbreaking ceremony last month were Ava and Howard Mintz, long-standing members of the Trust’s Lived Experience Network. Their presence reflected the Trust’s commitment to co-production and the vital role that patients and carers continue to play in shaping compassionate, patient-centred care in South West London.
A commitment to listening
Ava emphasised the importance of co-production, noting that carers, service users, and staff have all played a key role in shaping the site’s redevelopment. “There’s a real openness to dialogue, even when conversations are difficult — and a genuine commitment to listening to those with lived experience,” she said. “We’ve witnessed many changes over the years and feel privileged to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime new hospital build.”
Through their lived experience and active involvement in the design and planning process, Ava and Howard have contributed valuable insight to the Better Environments Programme— the Trust’s £270m initiative transforming mental health facilities across South West London. Their input has been invaluable to the Trust’s work to create modern environments that break mental health stigma and improve experiences for patients and carers.
Reflecting on the day, Ava said: “It has been wonderful to come together today to celebrate all that this new hospital will mean for our community. We have been privileged to witness first-hand how the Trust has embraced input from patients and carers in planning these new facilities through co-production and co-design.
“We hope our contributions will pave the way for a brighter future at Tolworth and we are excited to see a modern, welcoming and therapeutic environment take shape here in the years to come.”
Co-producing better environments
The Better Environments Team consults regularly with members of the Trust’s Lived Experience network on different elements of the build programme.
In recent years this has included not only designs for the new Springfield and Tolworth Hospitals, but also signage and wayfinding around Trust sites, art and design projects, and the upcoming £15m redevelopment of the Barnes Hospital site in Richmond.
Commenting on the significance of Tolworth’s redesign Howard said: “Just like at Springfield, this new development will be a significant step forward in offering a modern, welcoming and therapeutic environment for all, including the wider community.
“The open design of the thoroughfare will help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and the new build will provide improved accessibility and comfortable, inclusive spaces, fostering connection and reassurance for all.”
The Trust’s Lived Experience Network is a growing group of more than 300 people who all have lived experience of accessing services, or caring for a relative or friend who has, within the last five years.
Members all have their own reasons for joining the network, including a passion to use their experiences to improve services for others. If, like Ava and Howard, you would like to get involved please email the Trust at Involvement@swlstg.nhs.uk or find more information on our website.
You can also visit our website for all the latest on the redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital.
