Step Exhibitions
Cygnet Social Hubs – Cygnet Group
Nominee Information
Imagine stepping into a space designed not just for service users but with them. A place that feels social, warm, and uplifting, a stark contrast to the mental health settings so often described by service users as “noisy, depressing, and clinical.”
This vision is becoming a reality through Cygnet’s Social Hub initiative, led by Raf Hamaizia, Expert by Experience Lead. These hubs are reshaping mental health environments by prioritising co-production, and bringing together service users, staff, and estate teams to create spaces that foster connection, independence, and recovery.
Clinical, uninspiring spaces can make you feel powerless. But environments designed with warmth, engagement, and community in mind? They can change everything.
One of the core principles behind social hubs is to improve engagement between service users and staff.. By providing stimulating environments equipped with various entertainment options, Cygnet encourages all staffto take a more active role in engagement. This shift not only benefits the service users but also provides staff with a more stimulating and rewarding work environment, reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction.
KEY FEATURES OF SOCIAL HUBS:
Multi-Sensory Design – Soft lighting, immersive sound, and visually stimulating artwork create a calm and adaptable environment.
Interactive Entertainment – Gaming consoles, board games, and shared activities foster meaningful social engagement.
Comfortable, Flexible Furnishings – Bean bags, soft seating, and non-clinical materials make the space feel warm and welcoming.
Personalisation & Ownership – Service users choose the décor and activities, reinforcing a sense of belonging.
The Impact:
Social Hubs create structured opportunities for independence within a safe and supportive environment, helping service users build confidence and develop essential social skills. By fostering a sense of normality, they encourage positive routines and self-directed activities, providing a bridge to community reintegration and easing the transition back to everyday life. These hubs also serve as vital social spaces, reducing isolation and strengthening peer relationships, ultimately enhancing overall wellbeing and recovery.
One of the biggest transformations brought by Social Hubs is the shift in staff interactions. Instead of passively supervising from a distance, staff are actively engaging with service users, playing games, leading group discussions, and building meaningful relationships. This shift has been game-changing for staff morale, reducing burnout by making their roles more fulfilling, strengthening therapeutic relationships by fostering trust, and creating a more manageable ward environment that eases the pressures of challenging days for everyone.
Over a six-month period, the introduction of Social Hubs led to a 25-35% reduction in incidents across multiple Cygnet sites. At Cygnet Hospital Beckton, there was a dramatic improvement with a 71% reduction in incidents of violence and aggression, in just one month.
At the same time, staff satisfaction and retention have improved, with teams reporting a more positive and rewarding work environment.
At Cygnet Hospital Woking, staff engagement increased by 45%, correlating with a 35% drop in burnout. This suggests that when staff have meaningful interactions with service users, rather than just supervising from a distance—their roles feel more rewarding and less stressful.
