A MENTAL health hospital near Tredegar has transformed a clinical space into a vibrant and welcoming social hub, providing service users with a unique area to relax, connect and engage in therapeutic activities.
Cygnet St Teilo’s, a 23-bed mental health hospital for women on Goshen Street, Rhymney, has unveiled its new social hub as part of Cygnet Health Care’s innovative initiative to create more homely, supportive environments within clinical settings.
The project, a collaboration between service users, staff, and Experts by Experience (those with lived experience), aims to promote recovery through meaningful social interaction.
The redesigned room now features gaming stations, a coffee bar, nail salon, massage chair, sensory lighting, arcade games, TV screens, music facilities, Harry Potter-themed décor, and cozy seating areas.
Every element was chosen based on a wish list created by the service users themselves, ensuring the space reflects their preferences and needs.
The staff and service users then transformed the space in just one day.
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.
Cygnet Health Care Hospital manager Byron Mtandabari explained: “The social hub is a really exciting development for Cygnet St Teilo’s. It’s not just a physical space, it’s a place where meaningful connections can be built, between service users, but also with staff. I want patients to really feel a sense of belonging and this vibrant space will help us to achieve that.
“We know that social interaction is an important part of recovery and having this space will encourage engagement, relaxation and ultimately, fun, which will make a significant difference to the day-to-day lives of those we support.
“I’m really proud of the hard work which went into creating this room in just one day and I’m genuinely delighted to be the latest Cygnet Health Care service to have a social hub.
“Our service users were so excited and their reactions seeing it were brilliant. It’s going to open up new opportunities for group activities, peer support, therapeutic sessions and just ever day moments of joy. I’m looking forward to seeing the sense of community it will foster.”
The Cygnet Social Hubs project has been shortlisted in two categories at the Design in Mental Health Awards 2025; Low Cost- High Impact and Service User Engagement. Winners will be announced in June.
