Our new Health Based Place of Safety has opened to service users today, completing 10 months of work to build the new and improved site.

A Health Based Place of Safety is an area where we work together with service users to understand how we can best support them at moments of crisis.

The new space is more modern, safe and comfortable for those using it. It’s a place where people will be treated with respect and kindness as we work with them to support their mental health.

It has been co-designed through engagement between experts by experience, our staff and the capital and therapeutic environments team, who have led this project.

Several features have been specially installed to help the new Health Based Place of Safety provide a therapeutic space for people using it. These include:

• Spacious suites, built to be safe, long-lasting and fit for purpose
• Bright and calming décor, including homely carpet which also dampen noise
• Sensory lighting options, including changeable colours and circadian rhythm lighting
• Interactive screens which include the ability to watch television, play radio and make video calls
• Artwork from local landscape artist, Jill Ray, included through work with our arts in health team with the intention to ‘bring the outside in’
• Two courtyards providing outdoor space
• Built-in Bluetooth sound system
• Customisable heating for each suite
• One fully accessible suite
• Dedicated kitchen for staff team
• Ensuite bathrooms in each room

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Laura Wiltshire, head of service for acute and community services, said: “I am so proud of all the work we’ve put into the design of this new environment to ensure we provide the best possible experience we can for our service users.

“It’s spacious, bright and calming, with outdoor space too. We are committed to quality at SHSC and this is a great example of how, by working together, we can make real improvements for the lives of people in our communities.”

The completion of this project is the latest in a long line of projects from our therapeutic environments programme which has seen many spaces improved across SHSC. These include two new or refitted wards, a staff rest area, the new Longley Centre reception, Single Point of Access service, and other work across our sites.

There is more on the horizon too, with the newly refurbished Stanage ward due to open early this year and then work to begin on revamping Maple ward.

Adele Sabin, head of the therapeutic environments project team, said: “I want to say a big thank you to everybody in the capital and therapeutic environments team who have led this project with focus, energy and passion to build a space which will be a real improvement for people who use our services.

“A thank you too to all the people who have come together with us through coproduction. The new Health Based Place of Safety is the realisation of all your efforts and it is something to be very proud of.”