The room was previously being used as a tuck shop. It was used for just one hour a day for service users to buy drinks and snacks and was locked when it was not in use.
Javaid Razzaq, one of the hospital’s activity coordinators, and Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet’s Expert by Experience Lead, saw an opportunity to put the space to better use. With the support of the management team they organised a shopping trip so that service users could be directly involved by choosing the items that were bought for the hub.
In the space of a few days the service users also helped to decorate the room and set everything up. They also were involved in the naming of the room as the Social Hub.
The Social Hub includes:
- A Playstation 5 and Nintendo Switch
- Suite of PCs with keyboards and mouses
- A full size arcade machine
- Interactive Just Dance mats
- Interactive touchscreen
- Retro game themed sensory lighting and furnishings
- Aromatherapy diffusers
- Plug and play recording studio
- Tuck shop
Unlike the old tuck shop the new Social Hub will be available to service users throughout the week including evenings and weekends, both as a chill out space and to enhance off ward activities.
Feedback from the hospital’s community meeting has been really positive with one service user saying that the room “gives a positive and relaxing energy” and another remarking that it is “stunning and helps us to stay chilled.”
Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet’s Expert by Experience Lead, said: “Activities and the built environment are often hot topics in health and social care. This co-produced project demonstrates how staff and service users can enhance both the built environment and engagement through working together. The sensory integration from the cool lighting to the aromatherapy from the essential oil diffusers makes this a good place to get off the wards and chill out, particularly on evenings and weekends.”