Kingsway Group were honoured to work with Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, principal contractor I&G and Gibberd Architects on the state-of-the-art Health Based Place of Safety facility at the Longley Centre, Sheffield.
The bright, modern and comfortable facility consists of three suites designed to safely assess and support service users through moments of crisis. The facility forms part of the Trust’s ongoing ‘therapeutic environments programme’ aiming to enhance facilities across their sites, including the Longley Centre.
Opened in January 2024, the Health Based Place of Safety is a “place where people will be treated with respect and kindness as we work with them to support their mental health” – Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS FT.
Kingsway’s work with the Trust began in early 2023 to deliver a bespoke package that would contribute to the healing environment while delivering specific functionality to enhance safety.
To achieve this, Kingsway’s SWING Anti-Barricade, SOLO Single-Action and STOW En-Suite Door Systems were implemented throughout the facility for their trusted performance in specialist environments and non-institutional design. The SWING Doors Systems were installed in higher risk areas within the facility, while the SOLO Door Systems were specified for communal and staff areas. The STOW Door Systems were then selected for the en-suite rooms for the flexibility they provide in managing usage of the door.
Customised Duralux Secure Privacy Vision Panels were fitted to the SWING & SOLO Door systems featuring artwork by local landscape artist Jill Ray, creating a unique and calming theme throughout the building with the idea of ‘bringing the outside in’. Duralux wall-panel variations were also installed within the walls bordering staff quarters and service user suites to provide a safe and effective means of observation.
“We sought to embed a strong sense of local place and identity to the project, such that service users would feel at home and be able to draw local references and connection with the images used. The images are extracts of the large artworks which are used within the scheme and which the interior scheme is built around, making artwork integral to the scheme from an early design stage.
“The artwork is by the Sheffield based artist, Jill Ray, and depicts local landscapes through a distinctive abstract style. The artwork was carefully selected based on imagery and colourway to enhance the scheme in promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.” – Gibberd Architects.
Other notable features of the new facility include homely carpet which also dampens noise, sensory lighting with changeable colours options and circadian rhythm lighting to support service user wellbeing, two courtyards providing outdoor space, customisable heating for each suite and more.
To find out more about the Health Based Place of Safety, visit Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust’s website.
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