The 19-bed Cygnet hospital, which supports men with mental health difficulties, has opened its newly launched Social Hub which offers a mix of relaxation and recreation facilities. These include comfortable seating areas, arcade machines, pool table, immersive LED lighting and a laser TV projector.
Across its health and social care services, Cygnet has been investing in the development of “social hubs”, dedicated communal spaces designed in collaboration with service users to promote engagement, independence and meaningful activity away from the wards.
Unused spaces in hospitals have been given a stunning makeover in an effort to provide service users with a safe space where they could relax and socialise together. The social hubs came about following feedback from patients who said they would benefit from having non-clinical rooms to wind down in. They have all been co-produced, designed and installed by staff and patients working together.
The new social hub at the Lewisham Park hospital has been entirely co-produced with the service users who played a central role in designing the space. They helped select the colour scheme, furniture and decorations, as well as choosing the activities and equipment available.
Nena Aitalegbe, Hospital Manager, said: “Creating spaces like our new Social Hub is incredibly important because recovery doesn’t only happen in clinical settings. People also need somewhere they can relax, connect with others and enjoy spending time away from the ward environment in a way that feels normal and empowering.
“Having access to a welcoming, non-clinical space helps reduce feelings of isolation, encourages positive social interaction and gives people opportunities to build confidence and independence through meaningful activities. It also supports therapeutic engagement and strengthens relationships with peers and staff.
“We’re especially proud that this space has been co-produced with our service users, ensuring it reflects what they wanted and what they felt would best support their wellbeing. Seeing their ideas brought to life has created a real sense of ownership and pride, and that has made the space even more meaningful.
“We’re already seeing people making the most of the Social Hub, whether that’s unwinding after a busy day, enjoying activities together or simply spending time in a calm, comfortable environment. It has brought a new energy to the hospital and created more opportunities for people to engage with one another in a positive way. We hope it continues to play an important role in supporting recovery and enhancing the experience of everyone who stays with us.”
Cygnet’s Social Hubs have received national recognition for their innovative, co-produced approach to improving patient experience and recovery environments. The project has been shortlisted for the Patient Engagement and Experience Initiative of the Year at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2026.
In addition, the Social Hubs have been recognised within the healthcare design community, winning the Low Cost-High Impact award at the 2025 Design in Mental Health Awards.