In order to make the best use of the existing Recovery College space, the People’s Council at the hospital asked to have a social hub and games/sensory element added to it for day/evening and weekend use.
Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet’s Expert by Experience Lead, explains: “In our efforts to co-produce the built environment, we met with service users from all wards at the Peoples Council a few weeks ago. We formed a wish list together of everything they wanted to incorporate into the new social hub, including a 100 inch TV, lots of cool sensory lights, games console and bean bags, and we got them all!
“After ordering all the bits and bobs chosen by the People’s Council we then booked the minibus and went shopping with service users and staff for the final bits, including extension cords, a TV wall mount and console games which were chosen by representatives from each of the wards.”
Once all the items had been purchased the room itself was transformed in a day. To help out the service users and staff were joined by Robert and Lois, two Experts by Experience as well as by Jav Razzaiq, an Activity Co-ordinator who had recently helped to put together a social hub at Cygnet Hospital Bierley.
The new social hub at Cygnet Hospital Harrow now includes:
- A 100” TV
- Immersive sound system
- PlayStation 5 with lots of games
- Inspirational artwork, comic figurines & posters
- Lots of game/comic inspired cushions & throws
- Aromatherapy diffusers & essential oils
- Two full size arcade machines
- A number of comic themed board games
- Adjustable sensory lightning throughout the room
- Several super comfy bean bags
- A customisable LED sign
Raf added: “This co-produced project demonstrates how staff and service users can enhance both the built environment and engagement through working together. The new social hub will be a great place for service users to get off the wards to chill out and socialise, particularly on evenings and weekends.
“I’d like to thank everyone for supporting this including our fantastic estates team, Robert, Lois and Chris for coming down on the day to help out and to Chris and Tracy from the hospital’s Occupational Therapy team for support in ordering all the items requested by the service users.”