The service was commissioned specifically to be co-designed with people with this lived experience – so we work collaboratively, with equally valued voices for maximum impact.
As the service began, a strong network of community links and partnerships were developed by groups and services supporting this community. This helped us to hear their perspectives and learn from their knowledge, whilst access to reach into the community through their networks. Alongside this, outreach activities began - making direct connections with people who are or have been rough sleepers in the area.
Weekly drop-in sessions at community cafes were started to gather initial thoughts and ideas from people. These explored the challenges faced when rough sleeping, including around difficulty engaging with different services people need. Also, what people need of the new accommodation, and what the barriers and challenges can be for people entering a home after years of rough sleeping. Strong relationships started building and valuable insight began to emerge.
As the property was being found and renovated, engagement increased with people most likely to be living in the house. This was a chance to nurture their voices to have a say in what would soon be their new home. It saw a continued positive impact on their confidence to speak up, and built their trust in the fact that their views are genuinely central to their home, as they saw the impact they were having.
People began having a say around specific topics - things like how they can feel safe and secure in their home, and appropriate use of CCTV to support this. Also around house values and what things should be in place - including around harm reduction measures.
This really helped people to start feeling a sense of ownership of the house and how it operates. This, in turn, helped with transitioning into the service as there was already some familiarity and connection.
Now in their new home, guests are continuing to be central to how their home develops. There are regular times to connect through house meetings - to share feedback, look at different ideas and agree actions.
As well as in decisions about their support and their home, guests are being encouraged to engage in their community - in things that matter to them. This has so far included initiatives like litter picking to improve the nearby surroundings. They also plan to support guests to bring their voices to local community decision making and to Turning Point’s work centrally.
Through this co-production approach, guests have reported:
- A sense of community
- Feeling listened to and heard
- Ownership of the house they live in, its activities and day-to-day running
- Good collaborative working with guests and staff
- The house “feels like a home”
- Feeling “relaxed and supported”.