Innovation Challenge Programme - Case Study 2
Name: Jess and Linda
Project: Hinckley Homeless - Co production of an induction
handbook and induction process for the service.
Date: October 2012
Brief description: Designing the handbook- collages for the front covers
Who was involved in making the collages & how did you go about organizing the
sessions?
Three young people were involved in making the collages in an informal session with Jess –
(Project Worker)
Jess had gathered a lot of different pamphlets and leaflets from a variety of different sources
to get as broad a spectrum of different designs and got the young people to look through
them and evaluate what they thought would work well in the residents’ handbook.
They had lots of different design styles of images to look through and they cut out what they
found appealing / eye catching and what they thought would work well. They then used
scissors to cut them out and glue to stick them on to A2 paper. They also used a variety of
different craft materials to make the collages even more individual.
What did the young people talk about when they were making the collages?
They talked about their own personal experiences of moving into Lawrence House and their
experience of homelessness. They also talked about other issues that were important to
them such as health issues, training, current affairs, relationships, jobs and college matters.
They all said they enjoyed the activity as it was relaxing and creative. They discussed how
they felt when they moved into Lawrence House and what could have been better and what
they liked.
What did some of the images mean to the young people?
One collage focused on the dangers of drug use and this was important to the young person
that made the collage; another collage reflected more on progression, training, education
and moving forwards with her own life and that was what she wanted to reflect as her
experience of moving into Lawrence House. The third collage focused mainly on imagery
that reflected the young person’s personality, her likes and what was current in the media at
the time that interested her.
How do you plan to use the collages now?
The collages are going to be incorporated into the cover of the handbook. They are also
going to be framed and put up in our newly decorated lounge. They are also going to be
used as a postcard for publicity for Lawrence House – to be distributed around the local
community.
Quotes or feedback from young people involved in the sessions:
They said they found it rewarding, interesting and relaxing. They enjoyed thinking in a
different way about media and graphics and what would be important to young people. They
also fed back that they felt it was helpful for them to be able to record their own personal
experiences in a creative and tangible way – where maybe writing down their experiences
may have not been that easy or rewarding for them.
Any problems or barriers?
The idea of making a collage was appealing to some residents but not appealing to other
residents, so in that respect it may have excluded some residents from taking part in the
activity. It seemed to appeal more to the girls. Also the young people tended to dip and out
of the activity so it was time consuming in that respect.
Another issue was using appropriate images – some of the collages had negative
stereotypes such as hypodermic syringes etc that do not present such a positive image.
Outcomes:
Increase in confidence and well being of young people through involvement in project
Increase in skills of young people involved in project
Below: One of the collages: