Embracing ‘trauma-informed’ design at the London Cancer Hub

Did you know that up to 70% of people experience trauma in their lifetime? And that everyday environments like sights, sounds or spaces, can unknowingly trigger those experiences? In 2022, the government agreed a definition of trauma-informed practice with a view to its adoption in all frontline services, but its use within architecture and the built environment is only just starting to be embraced.

Olaide Oboh, director of Socius and managing director of Populate, recently spoke to The Developer Podcast on the emotive subject of ‘trauma-informed practice’, and how as developers, working in partnership with Aviva Capital Partners on the £1bn London Cancer Hub in Sutton, we can look to incorporate patient trauma support into the very fabric of the building.

At the recent Festival of Place, One Small Thing gave a workshop on trauma-informed design and Olaide became interested in the approach.

The whole design team has had dedicated training on trauma-informed practice, leading to deeper engagement and a reconsideration of lobbies, corridors, public spaces and wayfinding on the project.

Olaide says, “Cancer is a trauma. This training pushed us to bring in the voices of people who have experienced cancer. We spoke to practitioners as well as patients, because someone who is treating people everyday, and giving bad news, as well as good, also has a lot of trauma to deal with. Their voices need to be heard within the design concepts and the capabilities of the built environment too.”

Read more here: here.