Written by David Falkingham
I’m delighted to announce the opening of our new design and innovation studio in our Blackpool office.
Showcasing our range of doorsets, locksets, handles and load release products for Mental Health environments, the showroom has two break out rooms with large wall mounted TVs – enabling project teams to get hands on with our products and then design them collaboratively.
The ‘grand opening’ of the showroom coincided with the DIMHN board meeting, which was held at our offices on Tuesday 8th May. In between sessions, board members explored the new product innovations – providing feedback and sharing insights on current design trends relevant to the products on display.
Jenny Gill, Chairperson of the Design in Mental Health Network, said: “The design studio at Safehinge Primera’s Blackpool office is great. The opportunity to see full-sized products, properly displayed and presented as they would be in-situ is invaluable. It’s much more helpful than trying to assess a product using a small sample or a mobile set up.
"You can get hands-on with the actual items, something that would be a huge advantage for the specification process. Of course, when specification goes well, projects go well too, and I can imagine the studio is a major asset to design teams, helping to facilitate collaboration.”
Philip Ross, Director of Safehinge Primera, commented: "Creating a bright, welcoming location to showcase our finished products has been a long-term goal of ours. I'm excited to think this is the first of many sessions we'll host in Blackpool. The design studio compliments our prototype and workshop space in the Glasgow office, where visitors often come to see product testing and early product development."
Board member Russell Hogarth, Community Engagement Ambassador and Honorary Fellow at the University of Central Lancashire, said: "I found the showroom very impressive with excellent attention to detail. As a former mental health service user, full-time carer and current advisory member to the Royal College of Psychiatrists [older adult and dementia friendly wards] and the British Association of social workers [mental health subgroup], I would have no hesitation in recommending your products to hospital trusts and psychiatric care facilities."
Product innovations to explore:
En-suite
Commended as “lifesaving” by the DIMHN 2017 judges, we’ve further improved the en-suite leaves based on your feedback. They are now softer and more lightweight to minimise weaponisation.
Full-door ligature alarm
Shortlisted for the DIMHN 2018 ‘Product Innovation of the Year’ award, our full-door ligature alarm is a completely new innovation. The DIMHN board were among the first to explore the details.
Pull handle with invisible back-plate
Another innovation – which we’ll showcase at DIMHN next week – is our redesigned handle range. Designed based on input from over 40 groups and individuals, it has a modern aesthetic, without losing the robustness and durability of our existing options.
Book a visit
We already have several VIP visits booked from Trusts, architects and healthcare organisations from mid-May onwards.
I'd love to welcome you here too. To book your visit, simply get in touch. We’ll even collect you from Preston train station – easily accessible on the West Coast mainline.
