Portsmouth business campus transforms forgotten storage cupboard into wellness and breastfeeding suite.
Lakeside has unveiled a new Wellbeing Room that sets a new standard for workplace inclusivity in the region.
The room was designed in partnership with Bournemouth University’s midwifery department, which is based on the Lakeside campus and holds coveted UNICEF Gold accreditation under the Baby Friendly Initiative, the highest possible standard for supporting infant feeding and maternal wellbeing.
The room has also been designed as a space for individuals requiring first aid and anyone in need of a moment of quiet restoration. The result is a space that offers a medical-grade reclining chair, a dedicated lockable fridge for expressed milk, full handwashing facilities, clinical-grade fittings, soft lighting and a lockable door for complete privacy – all within a carefully designed, calming environment.
Chloe Johnson, who works at the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, based on site and is also a frequent user of the wellbeing room, said: “I really appreciate the effort Lakeside has put into the space, especially taking recommendations from midwives and real mums – it really shows. As a mum going back to work, having access to the wellbeing room has made a real difference. The environment is comfortable and safe to express and store milk. It removes a significant barrier many mothers face when coming back to work and helps make that transition feel much more manageable. It’s also great to see the room designed as a multi purpose well being space, supporting not just parents but anyone who may need a quiet or medical space, with its accessible location adding an extra layer of reassurance.”
The project was led by Rahim Ahmed, Facilities Manager at Lakeside, who oversaw the technical conversion of a constrained former storage space into a fully compliant, multi-use clinical room meeting CQC and NHS-style compliance standards.
“It involved the strategic transformation of an underutilised space into a fully compliant, purpose-built clinical space,” said Rahim. “The design approach focused on maximising a constrained footprint – ensuring the room meets compliance requirements without compromising functionality or user experience. This truly reflects Lakeside’s ongoing commitment to excellence.”
Dr Hazel Spencer, Lecturer in Bournemouth University’s Midwifery department, said: “Creating safe, supportive environments is essential for the health and wellbeing of new mothers. Spaces like this play a vital role not only in enabling infant feeding, but in fostering a sense of dignity, privacy and calm. It’s encouraging to see Lakeside embracing these principles.”
The Wellbeing Room is part of a broader investment in the campus. Lakeside has also completed a modernisation of its washroom facilities and upgraded its conference spaces, which can now host events for up to 250 guests with state-of-the-art presentation technology.
Simon Bateman, Asset Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, said: “The transformation of what was once an unused storage area into a fully equipped Wellbeing Room is something we’re particularly proud of. This is about creating an environment where people feel supported, comfortable and able to perform at their best.”
The Wellbeing Room is available to all workers, students and visitors to the campus.
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