In the world of Mental Health care, innovation isn't just about products; it's about understanding the human experience and creating environments that help foster healing and hope. Doora, Safehinge Primera's mobile showroom, is part of our mission to provide product solutions that have been designed to support the creation of therapeutic environments and help aid patient recovery.
By bringing Doora to clinicians' place of work, they can see first-hand the solutions our doorsets provide for everyday challenges within a Mental Health ward. Each visit is also an opportunity for our team to listen to the difficulties in these environments and work collaboratively to bring comfort, dignity, and understanding to people going through a vulnerable time.
It's important to note that each of our team members has their reasons for joining and continuing to work for Safehinge Primera. Through their life experiences, they can put themselves in other people's shoes when talking to customers and empathise with their journey.
It's not just the innovative products that make Doora. It's the people.
Meet Chris: A Bridge Between Innovation and Compassion
Chris is at the core of Doora's mission. As a Project Manager, he regularly visits live Mental Health environments and plays a vital role in supporting Doora's team in clinical staff training sessions. He’s intimately connected with the journey of Mental Health innovation. His role goes beyond managing products – he's a connection between innovative door solutions and the clinicians who work tirelessly to support patients.
Chris's unique perspective was shaped by his encounter in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) that opened his eyes to the importance of Mental Health support for young people. It was also a stark reminder for him that Mental Health does not discriminate. It could be your friend, family member or even your child who finds themselves seeking support from one of these services.
Here’s Chris’s story…
"I was shaking and couldn't think straight. I wanted to leave the ward as quickly as possible to make sure my daughter was okay.”
My wife found out she was pregnant at six months. I discovered I was becoming a dad for the first time three months before our daughter Ayla was born. It was some surprise, but Ayla, with her beautiful blonde curly hair, was the greatest gift of my life (along with her little sister Mia). On Ayla’s first birthday, she received Flopsy, a large, floppy-eared, cuddly bunny. Flopsy was held tight and went everywhere with Ayla.
7 years later
Fast forward seven years, and I started working for Safehinge Primera. It was 2021, and I was visiting a CAMHS unit for maintenance work on our door alarm sensor.
I’m always aware of my surroundings when working in live wards, as I do not want my presence to cause distress or alarm to patients. On this particular day, I was on my hands and knees working on the doorset when I saw a young girl out of the corner of my eye, the spitting image of my daughter: blonde curly hair, complete with a bunny-like Flopsy and a book. My mind immediately panicked, and the voice in my head said, "AYLA!!"
It wasn’t just seeing this young girl so similar to Ayla that upset me, but also witnessing the scars on her arms and neck. It left me in shock that someone so young could be in such a vulnerable place in their life and be recovering in environments that feel institutional. This put my mind in a tailspin.
I had to get out of there. I was shaking and couldn't think straight. I wanted to leave the ward as quickly as possible to make sure my daughter was okay. Once, I left the ward and returned to my car to calm down. I decided to call my parents, who were looking after Ayla during the school holidays. I spoke to my daughter over the phone, and we had a conversation for 15 minutes and then a "conversation" with Flopsy, too (a bit of a one-sided conversation) about their day. This put my mind at ease to know my daughter was happy and safe.
It hit home for me that day the pain families must endure when they have to put their trust in others and leave their loved ones to recover within these services. It also made me appreciate the fantastic NHS staff working tirelessly around the clock to ensure patients receive person-centred care with the dignity and respect they deserve. Yet, there is still a long way to go when it comes to the environment of Mental Health services, as many still feel clinical and institutional. I feel a sense of purpose working for Safehinge Primera, as I can do my part to make a difference in these services by installing innovative doorset solutions designed with patient and customer feedback in mind.
Empowering Clinicians, Nurturing Recovery
Chris's encounter shifted his focus from products to people. Safehinge Primera’s innovative door solutions shown on Doora, such as advanced alarm and Anti-barricade door system, are essential for physical safety, but they are also tools to address deeper emotional needs. They provide a sense of security and control that can make all the difference in a patient's journey towards recovery. For instance, our Anti-ligature handles and high-performance doors are more than safety products – they are gestures of respect, preserving patients' privacy and dignity while ensuring their well-being. This approach recognises that holistic healing encompasses the mind, body, and soul.
Through clinical training and education, Doora, our product training vehicle, equips clinical teams with the knowledge and tools to create environments that promote recovery. The company's ethos extends to understanding the diverse needs of patient's Mental Health support, from young people to older adults, ensuring that everyone receives care tailored to their unique journey.
