The environment around us can have a significant impact on how we feel. That’s why we were delighted to support a project that has transformed two of the largest meeting spaces at Torbay Health and Wellbeing Clinic into calmer, more welcoming environments for staff and visitors.
With funding from Open Up and Mental Health Matters, innovative acoustic sound-dampening panels have been installed to reduce echo and residual noise throughout the rooms. As well as improving sound quality, the panels add warmth, colour and character to the spaces, helping create environments where people can feel more comfortable, connect with others and take part in conversations without distraction.
Positive feedback from staff and service users
The difference has already been noticed by both staff and those using the service.
Caitlin Foster, Team Manager for The Moorings, said, “As a staff group, we have found the installation of the sound-dampening very beneficial to reduce the echoing and residual noise, particularly when we have simultaneous calls or calls with walk-ins! It has allowed for the environment to be calmer, which is vital to the service!
People using the clinic have also shared positive feedback about the improvements. One service user said, “It’s amazing that sound reduction has been taken into account in a mental health setting, and hopefully the impact will be a calmer and more peaceful environment that can only be a positive in promoting wellbeing.”

Creating better environments for mental health care
This project demonstrates how relatively small changes to the physical environment can make a meaningful difference.
Visit our Impact page to discover more stories and see how donations are helping to create positive change across Devon.
