I recently had the privilege of speaking at the Design in Mental Health conference about a topic that’s very close to my heart: how NHS environments can be better designed for autistic individuals. 

As a late-diagnosed autistic person, I’ve had my share of experiences with NHS spaces, both positive and negative. But what really pushed me to speak out was my belief that small, low-cost changes could have a huge impact on improving these spaces for people like me, creating autism-friendly environments that enable more people to feel safe and comfortable seeking care. 

Why I decided to speak up

A lot of the inspiration behind my talk came from personal experience. For eight years, I was misdiagnosed. During that time, I spent a lot of time in overstimulating NHS waiting rooms, experiencing panic attacks and feeling completely overwhelmed by the sensory overload. 

Over the years, I’ve learned more about how autism impacts me personally. However, through my work with Yewdale, I’ve also seen firsthand how many NHS trusts are failing to fully consider the sensory needs of their patients, making these environments difficult for those on the spectrum.

As part of my professional experience working with NHS trusts, I’ve seen how poorly designed spaces can worsen anxiety, affect communication, and even increase the risk of self-harm in autistic individuals. Yewdale is a company that values safety and inclusivity, and is committed to creating safer, more accessible spaces. This aligns closely with my own mission: helping autistic individuals navigate environments that should be safe, welcoming, inclusive, and conducive to positive recovery.

Sensory triggers & simple adjustments

During my speech, I explored how NHS environments are often full of sensory triggers, making it difficult for some autistic individuals to feel safe and comfortable. These spaces are often loud, bright, busy, and filled with smells that can cause significant distress for people with autism. Addressing these sensitivities can improve sensory accessibility for those with additional needs. 

1. Noise: NHS spaces are often filled with sudden and loud noises, including sirens, alarms, announcements, or the continual hum of machines, all of which can trigger shutdowns or increased anxiety. To manage sound sensitivity, installing acoustic materials like wall panels or soft furnishings can help dampen noise, along with creating quiet zones or sensory-friendly waiting rooms. 

2. Light: Harsh, flickering fluorescent lighting is common in NHS spaces, and can cause discomfort, headaches and sensory overload. Bright or direct lighting can make it difficult to concentrate or even think clearly. To reduce light sensitivity, indirect lighting can be considered, along with clever fabrics, like Yewdale’s Roe White Back fabric, which helps diffuse light and create a softer ambience. 

3. Smell: The strong disinfectants and antiseptics commonly used in hospitals can trigger nausea, anxiety or panic in individuals sensitive to smells. This can lead to significant distress, causing a temporary shutdown or loss of communication. Switching to fragrance-free cleaning products and improving ventilation can help reduce these smells and ensure better airflow in confined spaces.

4. Temperature: Extreme temperatures – both too hot and too cold – are a common source of discomfort in healthcare settings. NHS spaces can feel overheated in the winter or overly air-conditioned in summer. Maintaining a stable room temperature through smart shading solutions can help, along with making thermostat adjustments based on real-time conditions. 

5. Touch: In many healthcare settings, rough textures, uncomfortable seating, or unexpected physical contact can trigger anxiety. Autistic individuals may also find that certain materials, like sticky or cold surfaces, can be overwhelming. Using soft, hypoallergenic fabrics on seating and beds can alleviate touch sensitivities, helping individuals to feel more in control of the situation and less stressed.

6. Visual clutter & navigation: Complicated layouts, crowded spaces, and unclear signage can increase anxiety and confusion. A lack of visual clarity makes it difficult for people to navigate and can create a sense of isolation. Using simple, clear signage with visual symbols and colour coding can help build easy-to-follow layouts, avoid overcrowded areas, and create a calmer atmosphere.

Yewdale’s role in creating supportive spaces

At Yewdale, we understand the importance of creating environments that are both safe and comfortable, supporting inclusive healthcare. This is why we focus on solutions that make it easier to control the look and feel of spaces, particularly in challenging settings such as NHS facilities. 

We also specialise in anti-ligature products that are designed to ensure safety while supporting positive recovery. These solutions are perfect for NHS spaces where safety and comfort are paramount. Just like the design adjustments I spoke about, I believe that our own products contribute greatly to environments where individuals feel secure, supported and comfortable.

Combining personal and professional experiences has helped me to better understand the impact that design can have on health and well-being, particularly for autistic individuals. The adjustments I shared in my talk – and Yewdale’s products – aim to eliminate unnecessary stressors while fostering safety, comfort, and dignity. We understand that small changes – whether through better lighting, softer furnishings, or our anti-ligature solutions – can make a world of difference.

I spoke at the conference because I believe that creating autism-friendly NHS spaces doesn’t have to be complicated. Small changes can have a huge impact. At Yewdale, we share this vision. We’re committed to providing practical, high-quality solutions that help create environments where everyone feels safe, comfortable, and cared for. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, get in touch.