Q & A
The engagement phase of the project has begun with a poster call-out (situated across two locations and with multiple different designs to accommodate different age-ranges) and the responses are starting to arrive:
What kinds of shapes, colours or experiences make you feel safe, calm, nourished and/or happy?
Curves, blue, green, sea, nature, pastel colours, circular shapes, wavy lines, round, swirls, natural colours, yellow, pink, green, purple colours.
Elements of nature and the outdoors.
I like natural shapes such as flowers trees and clouds, I like colour but nothing too bright.
“When we change how we view things. What we view changes”
What would a redesigned user experience look and feel like within the waiting areas at SCH and The Manor?
warm colours on walls
clean carpets
colourful chairs
soft big bean bags
"proper" notice boards
information sheets
water fountain
welcoming, colour, interesting
safe and comfortable space that is inviting.
somewhere that children and young people want to attend, that doesn't feed into the stigma of what traditional 'therapy' looks like
spaces that feel calm & comfortable
positive and encouraging pieces of work that can inspire service-users through hard times
water fountain
soft seating, information posters, views to the outside, access to electronic feedback machines
At the Manor = plants at front door (not strictly indoors)
“Make your mental health a priority”
If money were no object (and blue sky thinking was the norm), what would your ideal working environment look and feel like?
Space, light. clean,
Lovely cosy chairs, up to date patient information, TV on wall with pre-recorded patient information about service, groups , ASD etc cartoon information, lovely big plants, water to drink, clean-and-tidy, not sterile waiting area.
A more relaxed homely environment with lots of light and interactive information units with basic information on wellbeing that could be printed for families to take with them.
Like sitting on a beach, warm breeze, nice light, smiling faces all around and stimulating, beautiful surroundings.
Ideally, it would be outside or make use of nature within an inside space. The room would have comfortable areas to sit, as well as sensory areas within some rooms which can be an alternative space. The walls would be colourful and encouraging, not only in the clinic room but as soon as you open the door and through the hallway. The experience for the child, young person or parent should be one of comfort and understanding. It would hopefully feel like they are in a space where people care and they can really express themselves. It would also hopefully be somewhere they wish to return and when they do, begin to feel at ease.
The experience would be calming and containing.
Is there anything else you would like to share that will help us make our spaces more nourishing, interesting, fun, calm and inviting?
It needs a balance between decoration and calmness as many children are overly sensitive to visual stimulation and it also needs to be welcoming.
A moving screen with local support information revolving perhaps with QR codes available for more in depth information.
(Use of) service user experiences/stories.
“Green, blue, yellow, smooth lines.
Mint green and light blue.
Garden, outdoors theme.
Purple, Red, Dim lighting, Quiet.
Amazing stuff. ”
Can you describe an exciting or favourite place?
Looking at the stars or in a forest
A beautiful garden that is very colourful with lots of flowers, trees and mushrooms. A pond with fish
My bed it’s comfy
“A lot of nature...
Touchy-feely walls...
Duck with feathers...
Musical notes floating by with someone singing calming music...
I like funny characters and awkward characters like coralline and Alice in Wonderland...
I don’t like velvet or anything that feels scratchy or wool because it’s itchy...”
Is there anything else you would like to share that will help us make our spaces more interesting, fun, calm and inviting?
Textural / interactive stuff
Fidget toys to play with and other sensory calming toys like balls and squishy touchy things
Fidget toys are a must!
