Care and support

PFI Project News Autumn 2007

Young people have been consulted throughout this project to encourage choices wherever possible. As part of the consultation process, they were invited to an event in October, which consisted of workshops throughout the morning and a fun trip to Diggerland, an adventure park for all ages where they could ride, drive and operate full-size construction machinery, in the afternoon.

The day was organised by Young Herts, and aimed to give young people the opportunity to hear more about the project, give their views and have fun!

Young Herts used the day to engage with the young people by:

listening to them and their carers

drawing out ideas with activities and worksheets

understanding the issues

responding with appropriate solutions

They learnt about the design process that goes into building the homes, and had the chance to put forward ideas about the facilities they would like to see both inside and outside their homes.

They came up with some excellent suggestions, some of which were achievable and some unachievable! Here is a selection of their ideas:

“What goes into a home to make it familiar, cosy, welcoming, safe, normal and your place?”

windows that open further than current restrictions

built-in wardrobes and double beds

playroom with pool table, table tennis, TV and music

a quiet room for youngsters

air-conditioning

ensuite bathrooms with power showers and jacuzzis

plasma televisions with SKY

a Wallace & Grommit type ejector seat to get us up in the morning!

“If you had a website on which you could discuss your ideas through your home managers, what would you want on it?”

a ‘gallery of photos’ for pictures of items in their homes and gardens or events taken part in

site pictures of the new homes as they are being built

activities and competitions

a staff ‘chat’ area to improve communication between staff in different homes

pictures drawn by children

“What facilities would you want to see outside in the garden for socialising, playing, gardening and relaxation?”

barbeques

sheltered seating area with hammocks and swing seats

trampoline, football goals and basketball nets

quiet zone

Wendy house and tree house

big garden games e.g. jenga and chess

bikes

swimming pool/paddling pool

climbing frame, climbing wall, swings and slides

creative artwork

vegetable patch

heater, water feature and lights