Imagine a place where young minds struggling with mental health challenges can find solace, support, and a sense of belonging—a place that feels less like a hospital and more like a sanctuary. That’s exactly what The Sett, a groundbreaking youth mental health center in Northampton, aims to be. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about treatment; it’s about creating an environment where healing and growth go hand in hand.
Earlier this year, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) unveiled The Sett, a purpose-built inpatient unit at Berrywood Hospital in Duston, Northampton. Designed to be a 'first-class facility,' it offers a comprehensive range of amenities tailored to the needs of young people, including an activity room, informal communal areas, classrooms, a therapy room, a kitchen, outdoor spaces, and cozy bedrooms. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a building truly transform the mental health care experience? The Sett’s design team thinks so—and they’ve got the awards to prove it.
Dr. Tiff Webster, director of children and young people’s services at NHFT, emphasizes that The Sett was ‘designed around young people’s needs,’ ensuring that therapy, learning, and relaxation coexist seamlessly under one roof. Previously located in Upton, the center’s move to Berrywood Hospital places it adjacent to The Burrows, NHFT’s other child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) inpatient unit. Together, these units provide 20 beds for young people requiring inpatient care in a safe and supportive environment.
What makes The Sett truly stand out is its commitment to listening to the voices of the young people it serves. Marie James, NHFT’s service manager for inpatient CAMHS, explains, ‘We consulted with young people before and during the design process, and their message was clear: they didn’t want it to feel like a hospital.’ The result? A space that’s bright, open, and vibrant—a stark contrast to the typical clinical atmosphere. Fleet Architects and T&B Contractors brought this vision to life, earning three design prizes at the national Building Better Healthcare Awards even before the center opened its doors.
Dr. Webster adds, ‘Our team at The Sett has always provided exceptional care, but the move to Berrywood has enhanced their ability to collaborate with the hospital’s broader support network. This means even better experiences and outcomes for the young people we serve.’
But here’s the question that lingers: Is The Sett a model for the future of youth mental health care, or is it an exception in a system that still has much to improve? As we celebrate this innovative facility, it’s worth asking: What more can—and should—be done to ensure every young person has access to such transformative care? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Could The Sett’s approach be replicated elsewhere, or is it a one-of-a-kind solution? We’d love to hear your perspective.
