As demand for mental health and dementia services continues to grow, so too does the need for environments that actively support recovery, wellbeing and resilience. The quality of the built environment is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in improving patient outcomes, enhancing staff wellbeing and delivering more person-centred models of care.
Against this backdrop, the Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Forum (MHDF) will return to The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Warwickshire, on 24–25 November 2026, bringing together leaders from across healthcare, estates, design, construction and facilities management to explore the future of mental health and dementia environments.
Proceedings will begin on 23 November with a dedicated Golf Day, providing delegates, speakers and industry partners with an informal networking opportunity ahead of the main conference programme.
The overarching theme for this year’s forum is:
“Environments That Promote Mental Wellbeing, Recovery and Resilience.”
This theme reflects a growing understanding that healthcare environments are far more than simply places where treatment occurs. From inpatient facilities and community settings to dementia care environments and therapeutic outdoor spaces, the design and operation of buildings play an important role in supporting dignity, reducing stress, improving safety and promoting recovery.
The forum will provide a platform for NHS leaders, healthcare providers, architects, estates teams, contractors, designers, facilities managers and specialist suppliers to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Through keynote presentations, case studies and collaborative discussions, delegates will explore how the built environment can better support both service users and staff.
Key areas of discussion will include therapeutic design, trauma-informed environments, the role of nature and biophilic design, workforce wellbeing, inclusive and neurodiverse environments, and the transformation of existing estates to meet future healthcare demands. The programme will also consider how innovation, sustainability and evidence-based design can help create safer, more effective and more resilient environments.
The Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Forum has established itself as an important meeting point for professionals involved in the planning, design, delivery and management of mental health and dementia facilities. By bringing together expertise from across the healthcare and built environment sectors, the event encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practice.
The choice of The Belfry Hotel & Resort provides an ideal setting for both formal learning and informal networking, offering delegates the opportunity to develop new relationships and continue conversations beyond the conference sessions themselves.
As investment in mental health and dementia services continues to evolve, the importance of creating environments that support healing, wellbeing and recovery has never been greater. The 2026 Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Forum aims to place these issues firmly at the centre of the conversation.
For further information and registration details, visit www.mhdf-forum.co.uk.
