Clinical space at two Flintshire mental health services have been transformed in a collaboration between patients and staff. Arcade games, sensory lighting, neon signs, and pool tables have turned traditional clinical spaces at Cygnet Delfryn House and Lodge, a high-support inpatient rehabilitation service for men and women with severe mental illnesses, into warm "Social Hubs". These areas serve as havens where patients can relax and interact, created from unused areas within the facilities.
The revolutionary Social Hubs have been co-developed by patients and staff and are currently in place across numerous Cygnet Health Care services. The hubs include arcade games (Image: Cygnet) The creation of these hubs was inspired by patient's feedback for non-clinical areas to unwind. As a result, a team comprising staff and experts by experience used a wish list from patients to revamp an empty room at the Cygnet Health Care services on Argoed Hall Lane, Mold , Flintshire.
The space now has games consoles, arcade machines, sensory lighting and a refreshed pool table. Patients can play video games (Image: Cygnet) Patients were deeply involved in the creation process, even being taken on shopping trips to select items for the hub, enhancing their sense of project ownership. Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet Health Care expert by experience Lead, said: "This co-produced project demonstrates how staff and service users can enhance both the built environment and engagement through working together.
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