Service User Artwork Provides the Finishing Touch to New Therapy Room
A new psychology therapy room has been set up at Greenfields for those accessing Learning Disabilities (LD) services there thanks to funding from BCHC Charity’s Safe Spaces scheme.
The Safe Spaces scheme was set up using a grant from NHS Charities Together following their incredibly successful COVID-19 online appeal, to enhance indoor and outdoor spaces across the Trust to make BCHC bases more inviting, more relaxing, and better suited for patients, service users, and Team BCHC staff.
Psychology staff approached the Charity Team to discuss the possibility of funding redecoration and refurbishment to transform an old, tired clinical room (pictured left) into a calming and therapeutic space. Dr Laura Carrington, Clinical Psychologist in the Community LD Team, explains, “In response to growing awareness around the impact of the environment on emotional wellbeing, our goal was to move away from traditional, sterile, and uninviting settings, which may unintentionally heighten anxiety or discomfort, especially for individuals who have experienced trauma. We were also mindful that some of our services users have autism and/or sensory needs, and so this was also taken into consideration when designing the room.”
Guided by trauma-informed literature and enriched by feedback from BCHC LD service users, this renovation allowed the team to create a space that truly supports healing and emotional safety. Key features of the room include soft, dimmable lighting to create a soothing atmosphere, acoustic flooring, and blinds to enhance privacy. Comfortable seating and soft furnishings were selected to add warmth and comfort, with added plants to create a sense of calm and grounding. One staff member feels that “all the clinic rooms should look like this; warm and welcoming!”
A unique aspect of the room is the inclusion of original artwork created by LD service users and carers during a collaborative workshop with a professional artist. BCHC Charity funded a session with artist Sabrina Jaques who supported and inspired service users and their carers to create incredible and meaningful pieces. These artworks were thoughtfully designed to complement the rooms décor while also being therapeutic and soothing to view. One service user said, “Seeing my artwork on the wall makes me feel so proud.”
The new room is primarily used by Clinical Psychologists to deliver therapy. Staff are planning to complete a thorough evaluation of the room by gathering feedback from service users, carers, and clinicians to help create a business case to renovate clinical rooms at other BCHC Learning Disability bases. Some service users have already offered their thoughts, stating that “It is a nice, relaxing room to be in”, and “I feel more comfortable in this room.”
Dr Carrington says, “Having a calming and soothing space to talk with clients in has a real therapeutic benefit to our work. If clients feel more relaxed and safer in the room, then they are more able to talk about difficult things.”
Enhancing the environment for service users, their carers, and the staff who support them is just one way in which BCHC Charity helps make a difference. To support the work the charity does for our Learning Disabilities service, please visit our JustGiving page, or to find out more about the charity, visit our website .