An East London hospital for women struggling with their mental health has become the latest inpatient service to have a clinical ward space transformed into a homely ‘social hub’ as part of a unique collaboration between service users, former patients and staff.
Cygnet Hospital Beckton, on Tunnan Leys, is a 58-bed hospital which offers mental health support for women across four different specialist wards including PICU, acute admissions and personality disorder services.
An unused space on the ward has been given a stunning makeover and converted into a ‘social hub’, complete with massage chairs, interactive games, nail bar and sofa area.
The Social Hubs have been designed and installed across more than 15 Cygnet Health Care services so far and all have been co-produced between staff and patients. The ambition is for every Cygnet service to have a social hub in due course.
Working from a wish list of items provided by the service users, a team of staff and Experts by Experience (those with lived experience of inpatient settings) worked together to spend a day at the Beckton service, transforming the space into a room which reflects their needs and preferences of the service users.
Amenities in the social hubs also typically include arcade games, sensory lighting, music facilities, TV screens, electronic goods, inspirational artwork, board games, comfortable seating and much more to ensure service users have a safe space where they can relax and socialise together.
The idea is that the social hubs offer a non-clinical, homely space for service users to relax and engage in fun activities and peer support sessions, giving them a safe space away from the wards.
Service users were placed at the heart of the project from the very beginning and were escorted to a local shopping centre so they could be directly involved in choosing the items that were bought for the hub.
Jennifer Beal, Head of Occupational Therapy, said: “This space represents a significant achievement in our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our patients. Our vision was to create an inviting space where patients can choose to relax, refresh, and re-invigorate—a place that caters to both quiet, calming relaxation and opportunities for social interaction.
“Over the past two months, we have worked to develop an accessible, welcoming space away from the ward, designed to support the overall health and well-being of our patients.”
Jennifer continued: “This project has been a true collaboration—a coproduction—between service users, staff, managers, and our dedicated maintenance team. Together, we planned, met, and worked to transform this environment into something truly special. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared goal.
“We hope to gather measurable evidence that shows how the Cygnet Hospital Beckton Social Hub contributes to an improved experience of care and a positive impact on symptom management.
“The social hub is more than just a physical space; it’s a symbol of our commitment to enhancing the experience of care and managing symptoms more effectively for our patients. Together, we have made our vision a reality, and I am confident that it will continue to make a positive impact for our patients.”
Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet Expert by Experience Lead, added: “I know first-hand the difference that the environment can make to recovery. People who end up in mental health services are there for treatment, care, support and ultimately recovery, not punishment.
“The concept of these hubs goes beyond physical spaces; it’s about fostering a sense of community, engagement, and normality for both service users and staff.”
The first social hub was installed at Cygnet Hospital Bierley, and its success paved the way for further installations at other Cygnet Hospitals including Churchill, Harrow, Storthfield House, Brighouse, Woking, and many others.
“Shared social spaces play a crucial role in mental health hospitals by providing a sanctuary for patients to connect, heal, and rebuild their sense of community,” added Raf.
“These spaces combat the isolation that many service users experience, promoting mental well-being and recovery through social interaction between different wards, genders and service lines. By fostering a sense of belonging and support, social hubs become vital therapeutic tools, facilitating recovery journeys and empowering individuals to reclaim their lives beyond their diagnosis.”
The Cygnet Social Hub project was recently shortlisted for a national award in the Environment of Care category at this year’s Patient Experience Network National Awards. Winners will be announced in October.
