A Blackburn hospital supporting men with severe mental health needs has installed arcade games and pool tables.

The newly opened hub in Cygnet Fountains, Pleasington Close, also includes sensory lighting and neon signs, providing service users with a calming space to relax.

These Social Hubs are being designed and installed across several Cygnet Health Care services.

They originate from patients' feedback emphasising the need for non-clinical spaces.

The hospital staff and service users worked together, using a wish list of desired items to create the new hubs.

Regular users were taken to a local shopping centre to choose the equipment.

Lancashire Telegraph: The new arcade games aim to 'chill out' service usersThe new arcade games aim to 'chill out' service users (Image: Cygnet Health Care)

Cygnet Fountains hospital manager, Serena Birtwistle, said: "Social Hubs play a vital role within mental health services, they provide a safe, non-clinical, homely space for patients to relax and 'chill out', reflect, socialise and engage with peers and with the staff team.

"I believe that feeling confident to participate and engage in social situations is a very important part of recovery both within the service and then following discharge within the community."

She described the hub, equipped with an 85-inch TV, sound system, numerous games consoles and games, arcade, and pinball machines, as a 'man cave'.

Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet Health care expert by experience lead, said: “This co-produced project demonstrates how staff and service users can enhance both the built environment and engagement through working together.

“The new social hubs are a great place for service users to get off the wards to relax and socialise, particularly on evenings and weekends."

Mr Hamaizia said the plan is now to expand the social hubs across more hospitals.

Cygnet provides services for people with mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, eating disorders, autism, and learning disabilities.