Thinking About Our Spaces
Spaces of Opportunity asks us to consider:
- How people move through the service, both literally and metaphorically
- How the physical space makes people feel
- The messages that the physical spaces convey
- Identifying where there may be barriers to people accessing support
- How people are able to move through the space and access support
- Asking whether there are opportunities for service users to influence how things are done
- What is the space saying about who is it is for?
- Do people feel that the space is for them?
- How to help communities engage with, give feedback on and/or feel ownership of the space?
What is the Space For?
- Might be a multi-purpose space, such as a reception area in a building which has a number of services
- Will determine who is coming into the space, and what you need to think about in terms of the feel of the space
- Different uses for different people and services, so different spaces needed, e.g. private, open
- ‘Day in the life of a room’ at FGCT
Entering the Space
- Is the entrance accessible in terms of the broadest sense?
- Is it clear what the person is walking into?
- Is clear signage appropriate, or is something more discreet needed?
- Do people feel safe entering the space?
- Is the space welcoming?
- Do service users have choice and control over how and when they engage?
- Does the space facilitate interaction between staff and people using services?
First Impressions
- The way you are greeted by the person who is the first point of contact
- Being greeted courteously
- Not feeling invisible
- Being looked after in the space
- Small gestures
- Clear signage
How the Physical Space Makes People Feel
Spaces should aim to make people feel:
- What do we want/ expect a space to be:
- Safe, light, warm/ cool enough, clean
- How we want the space to make people feel?
- Psychologically safe
- Physically safe
- Welcome
- Heard and seen
- Valued
The Messages That Spaces Convey
- Respected or disrespected
- Power dynamics in terms of how the staff and clients can interact (e.g. glass screens)
- Open or barriers to communication
- The furniture
- The people in the space and how they are communicating with each other
- Unconscious messages:
- Whether you belong/ don’t belong
- How long you are welcome to stay here
- What you can expect from the visit
- Whether it is a place of love/ hope or fear
- The use of colour to show if you are welcome or are supposed to stay away
How People Move Through the Space
- Open or closed doors
- E.g. automatic doors at Shekinah
- Width of the doors and corridors
- Toilets
- Steps/ ramps
- Lighting
Service user input on environment
- People being asked what they think, and seeing their thoughts generating change
- Consultation with people who use the space to get suggestions on how things can be improved
- E.g. Shekinah garden– plants and seating
- CF Ideas– space funding for young carers at Improving Lives Plymouth to develop their outdoor space
- Salvation Army Devonport House – improving 1:1 room for residents
Plymouth example: Shekinah Images
A brief walkthrough of the new building can be found here
When the Space Can Create Barriers
- Physical barriers– entrance, security personnel and processes, inadequate turning spaces for people in mobility scooters, with prams etc
- Language and communication – is it accessible for people whose first language is not English? People who are visually or hearing impaired?
- The noise
- Inadequate lighting
- The smell
- The people
- Stigma and shame associated with the space
- Finding it difficult to be in a space with other people
Assessing Your Spaces of Opportunity
- Asking staff
- How do you want this space to make you feel?
- How do you want this space to make your service users feel?
- What messages do you want this space to convey?
- Asking service users
- How does this space make you feel?
- How do you want this space to make you feel?
