A new psychological wellness room has opened at Ridgeway ward in Middlesbrough. The room which is part of Roseberry Park at the trust, offers patients and their carers a dedicated, calming space designed to enhance therapeutic support and improve recovery outcomes.
The room, developed with direct input from patients, represents a significant step forward in creating environments that prioritise both emotional wellbeing and clinical care. Staff at Ridgeway say the initiative recognises that while therapy itself is vital, the setting in which it takes place can have an equally powerful impact.
“We know that psychological therapy plays a crucial role in each person’s recovery journey,” a staff member at Ridgeway said. “But we also understand that the environment matters. This project was about creating a space where people feel safe, comfortable and able to focus fully on their wellbeing.”
Thoughtfully designed, the room features soft, calming colours and carefully selected lighting to create a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere. Patient-created photography has been incorporated into the space, bringing elements of nature indoors and supporting grounding techniques often used in therapy. Every detail – from seating to layout – has been chosen to minimise anxiety and promote relaxation.
Importantly, the psychological wellness room is located away from the main ward environment, within the secure perimeter of the activity block. This provides a quiet, private area where therapy can take place without interruption – a marked change from previous arrangements.
Before the introduction of the room, therapy sessions were often held in multi-purpose ward spaces such as meeting rooms or quiet rooms. These environments could feel clinical or distracting, making it harder for patients to fully engage in therapeutic conversations.
The new dedicated space is already transforming that experience, offering both patients and staff a setting where sessions feel more focused, contained and purposeful.
Patients played a central role in shaping the design. Feedback highlighted the importance of having a clear distinction between everyday ward life and time set aside for reflection and therapeutic support. For many, the separation helps them prepare mentally for sessions and feel more secure discussing sensitive or personal issues.
One patient described the impact of the new environment, saying: “It’s so much quieter and no one just walks in anymore… when you’re talking about personal things, it feels safer.”
Another highlighted the added benefit of the room’s location, explaining how the walk back to the ward allows time to reflect after difficult sessions. “Being able to walk after a heavy session gives me time to process and I can come back to the ward a bit lighter,” they said.
The project was funded by NHS England as part of the Women’s Secure Transformation Pathway — a national programme aimed at ensuring services are trauma-informed, responsive to individual needs and shaped by lived experience. Although the funding was initially linked to women’s services, Ridgeway has ensured the new facility is available to all service users, reflecting the universal need for a safe and supportive therapy environment.
Staff have also reported clear benefits. Having access to a consistent, dedicated therapy space allows clinicians to deliver more effective and meaningful sessions. It enables a wider range of therapeutic approaches, including grounding techniques and guided imagery, while helping to build continuity and trust with patients.
“It’s such a nicer, more calming space to work in,” one clinician said. “It really helps create the right atmosphere for therapy.”
The introduction of the psychological wellness room underscores a broader commitment to compassionate, high-quality care. By investing in a space designed specifically for therapeutic work, Ridgeway is reinforcing the idea that recovery is shaped not only by the care provided, but also by the environment in which it is delivered.
Looking ahead, the team says they will continue to gather feedback from patients, carers and staff to refine and develop the space further. The goal is to ensure it remains a place where people feel safe to reflect, grow and move forward in their recovery.
For Ridgeway, the new room is more than just a physical space — it is a meaningful step towards more person-centred, trauma-informed care.
