A hospital for women with mental health problems has transformed an unused clinical ward space into a homely ‘social hub’ with sensory lighting to help them on the road to recovery.
The space at the 58-bed Cygnet Hospital in Beckton has been given massage chairs, interactive games, a nail bar and sofa area.
Other amenities include arcade games, music, TV, artwork, board games and comfortable seating.
“The concept is about a sense of community and normality,” the hospital’s Raf Hamaizia said. “People who end up in mental health services are there for care and ultimately recovery — not punishment.”
Social ‘hubs’ installed in 15 Cygnet health care centres are non-clinical spaces to relax away from the wards, providing a ‘sanctuary’ and sense of community for patients.
They combat isolation as a therapeutic tool to “reclaim their lives” beyond their diagnosis.
The Cygnet social hub has now been shortlisted for a Patient Experience Network national award in October.
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