Space Matters: Designing Support Services With and For Young People
A support space for young people at Centre 33’s Peterborough hub
Our latest report, Space Matters, shares learning from Fullscope and Centre 33’s work exploring how physical space affects young people's willingness to access support, written following engagement with 138 young people aged 11 – 25.
“When I walk into a bright, calm space, it helps me relax straight away. If it’s dark or messy, I just feel on edge.”
First impressions matter
Through focus groups, a survey, arts-based sessions at Kettles Yard, and observations at other local young people’s services, young people consistently highlighted the importance of first impressions: that how a space feels when they arrive and walk through the door, matters almost as much as the support they receive inside. This means:
A warm welcome
No clutter
The impression that someone cares about this space: a few plants, a rug, cushions, somewhere clean and comfortable to sit.
A warm welcome at Centre 33
“The first person you meet is so important – the welcome matters.”
A space intended for young people
Young people notice when a space has been designed with them in mind, when the pictures on the wall seem intended for people like them, and the information they receive is youth-friendly.
They also care about feeling safe in that space: some soft music playing and separate areas for confidential conversations means that their privacy can be respected. And whilst they wait, they want to be able to pick up a fidget toy or access WiFi on their phone.
“Sometimes the sofas are ripped up…it looks like no one cares.”
Centre 33 St James’ St
The design of Centre 33’s new James Street Hub in Cambridge provides an opportunity for us to apply these insights, ensuring that the design decisions made reflect the needs and experiences of the young people who use the service. This will be reflected in the colour choices used, the selection of seating and the finishing touches that we know make a space feel cared for and safe. And just like Centre 33’s original hub at 33 Clarendon St, young people will be greeted with a warm welcome to encourage them through the door of this new Cambridge home for the charity.
An Invitation
We invite services to consider the ways in which the environments that young people are invited into might potentially encourage, or hinder, engagement with services. Crucially, as we learnt through feedback from the young people we worked with, we encourage organisations – whether designing or rethinking current design – to include young people in the design process. It is only by opening up such conversations, that we can all ensure spaces have been designed with young people at the forefront of our minds.