On Friday 28 February, we were delighted to formally open Reuben Young People’s Centre at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
To mark the reopening of the space, the transformation of which was made possible by a generous gift from the Reuben Foundation, members of the Reuben family, artists, and clinicians from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust came together to celebrate the new space and the wider Best For You programme.
The transformation aimed to make the ward more comfortable, accessible and inclusive for children and young people being cared for in hospital under West London Children’s Healthcare, which brings together specialist services for children across Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The new Reuben Young People’s Centre
The Reuben Young People’s Centre provides a best-in-class environment for young people to access holistic care, regardless of the reason they are at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
As part of the transformation, purpose designed facilities in both the Emergency Department and on the ward allow staff to better support young people with mental health needs.
The ward has been redesigned as a calming, therapeutic, clinically compliant area. The CW+ Arts in Health Team coordinated an extensive programme of works in partnership with the Trust’s Play Team and architects White Arkitekter, including features such as LED feature lighting, built-in feature seating, and bespoke artwork with links to the local area. Find out more about this new space.
There are now two rooms designed to support patients with significant mental health needs during their stay in the acute hospital setting, with four additional rooms that can be used flexibly in response to demand. As a result, these young people can be assessed in a safe, calming space that ensures their physical wellbeing while supporting de-escalation and reducing distress.
Lesley Watts CBE, CEO of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We are so pleased to formally open the Reuben Young People’s Centre, which will transform the way we provide care.
‘The new environment, designed in response to the needs of young people and their families, means that our dedicated staff can care for adolescents in a best-in-class, therapeutic environment that can adapt to meet the needs of every patient, including those with significant mental health needs.
‘We are incredibly grateful to the Reuben Foundation, whose generous support through the Trust’s charity CW+ has made this transformation possible.’
Why the Reuben Young People’s Centre is needed
Best For You was developed in response to the crisis in young people’s mental health, with one in six children aged 5 to 16 identified as having a probable mental health problem.
Since 2012, there has been a substantial increase in mental health-related admissions to acute medical wards, such as those at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. With more and more young people being admitted due to self-harm and eating disorders, there is a recognised need for improved environments in acute medical wards that can adapt to meet the needs of young people who are struggling with their mental health.
Aaron McDermott, Expert by Experience Lead, at North West London CAMHS Provider Collaborative, said: ‘Spending time in hospital can be a daunting experience for anyone, but for a young person, unfamiliar surroundings can result in an overwhelming and distressing experience, often intensifying feelings of anxiety and uncertainty for both them and their loved ones. The ward environment plays a crucial role in shaping the experience of care, and traditional clinical settings can often feel intimidating.
‘The redevelopment of the Reuben Young People’s Centre has been driven by a commitment to put young people’s needs first, creating a fresh, comfortable and supportive space. The colour scheme and bespoke artwork contribute to a calming, uplifting atmosphere, transforming the environment.
‘Overall, the new environment has been carefully designed to foster a sense of safety and empowerment, helping young people feel more at ease and supported during their time on the ward. These spaces not only reduce stress but also offer a more positive, therapeutic experience for young people, whatever the reason for their admission to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.’
Best For You
Best For You launched in 2021 as a new approach to mental health care designed for – and in consultation with – young people and their families.
The programme is run in partnership by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, West London NHS Trust, and CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It is being evaluated by academic experts at Imperial College.
In addition to the Reuben Young People’s Centre, Best For You has created Arc, a space purpose-built to meet the mental health needs of young people. Arc is home to Arc Day Programme, which provides a one-of-a-kind model of family-based treatment for young people with eating disorders. It also hosts a range of wellbeing programmes run by Best For You partner organisations.
Alongside this work, Best For You brings together a wide range of tried-and-tested digital resources on one website, providing 24/7 support for young people. It also connects organisations within and beyond the NHS to provide early intervention support, clinical assessment and specialist treatment through a range of community partnerships.
By joining up these different elements of support, Best For You helps to address the growing and urgent crisis in young people’s mental health, from early preventative intervention through to acute admissions, making it easier for them to access the help they need.
Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings and Chair of Best For You, said: ‘We all know that the mental health crisis among young people has been growing for years. We wanted to work in ways that hadn’t been tried before, while making the most of the wealth of knowledge, experience and support that already exists within the NHS. It is a pleasure watching Best For You continuing to develop and achieving such positive results for and with young people across our region.’
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