The specialist rehabilitation service in Wibsey, Bradford, held a special memorial opening event to celebrate the new space and honour the contribution of maintenance colleague Malcolm Gray, who passed away earlier this year and who played a key role in helping to create the hub.
Cygnet Adarna House provides rehabilitation for up to nine men living with mental illness and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), supporting them to develop the skills and confidence needed to move towards more independent living in the community.
The Social Hub has been co-produced with service users to ensure it reflects what matters most to them. Working alongside Specialist Occupational Therapist Ella-Louise Taylor, residents shared their ideas and helped design a welcoming space that includes gaming facilities, a sensory area, exercise equipment and a cosy cinema-style area where they can relax and watch films together.
The project was also supported by Cygnet’s Co-production and Expert by Experience teams.
The new hub is already proving popular with residents, who have been using it to socialise, play games together and enjoy shared activities.
One service user said: “It’s amazing, it feels really homely and comfortable.”
The Social Hub at Adarna House forms part of Cygnet’s award-winning Social Hubs programme, which transforms underused clinical spaces into welcoming, non-clinical environments where people can relax, socialise and take part in meaningful activities. Each hub is co-produced with service users, who work alongside staff and Experts by Experience to design a space that reflects their interests and preferences, helping to create a genuine sense of ownership.
The initiative was developed in response to feedback from service users who wanted more homely spaces away from the wards to unwind, connect with others and support their recovery.
Ella-Louise Taylor, Specialist Occupational Therapist at Cygnet Adarna House, said: “From the very beginning it was important that this was a space designed by the people who use it. We spent time talking with our service users about what they wanted and what would help them feel comfortable, relaxed and connected with others, and every part of the Social Hub reflects those conversations.
“Seeing everyone enjoying the space together has been incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s gaming, exercising, watching a film or simply spending time with one another, the hub is already helping to bring people together.
“Opening it in Malcolm’s memory made the day even more meaningful. He played such an important role in making this project a reality and it felt only right to celebrate everything he contributed.”
Ella-Louise explained how the space has been designed for a neurodivergent population, with muted colours, black out blinds and simple wall art.
“The service users chose everything themselves so there wasn’t too much visual stimulus,” she said. “We also added low lighting, coloured lights and speakers so there is an option to increase the visual and auditory input for those who need more to stay regulated.
“Having a bigger space for movement will also support sensory based regulation strategies.”
Matthew Ledger, Cygnet Hospital Manager at Cygnet Adarna House, said: “The Social Hub represents everything we want recovery at Adarna House to be about, which is providing opportunities for people to build confidence, develop relationships and enjoy meaningful activities in a welcoming environment. Spaces like this help create a real sense of community and belonging, giving the people we support somewhere they can truly relax, connect with others and feel at home.
“It was especially important to dedicate the space to Malcolm. He was a valued and much-loved member of our team whose dedication, kindness and hard work touched so many people. His efforts helped make this hub possible and it will stand as a lasting reminder of the difference he made to our service users and colleagues. We know it is a place he would have been incredibly proud of.”