A 'WOBBLE room' has opened at a Bradford hospital to support the mental wellbeing of staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The room, at Cygnet Hospital in Bierley, allows staff to find a quiet, private space to chat and relax. The concept has already been adopted across the NHS.

Hospital Manager Jenny McVinnie set up the room in response to a suggestion by staff to give them a dedicated place to share any worries or let off steam.

The facility includes a donation station where staff can help themselves to food and treats, a dart ball target game, a big teddy bear and a sensory activities corner.

Jenny said: “Being able to sit with other staff and take a moment has been a sigh of relief sometimes.

"We are all really committed to the work we’re doing and when you see a member of staff struggling, the wobble room is a great way of being able to connect with people and offer support away from their clinical work.

“The room has been well received by the staff. It creates a safe space away from the wards where staff can go and have a few minutes to gather their thoughts or grab a cold drink. It allows you to take a breath and pick up your spirits before going back to the wards.”

She added: “I’ve seen the whole team at Bierley coming together during this crisis, with staff often going the extra mile to help a service user or a colleague in need.”

The hospital provides a range of low secure, specialist and psychiatric intensive care services for men and women, including a specialist personality disorder service for women.