Community project with ThinkPublic

What an amazing opportunity this was for me and other MA Design for Development students.

We volunteered with the public service design company ThinkPublic to work on a live project at Cambridge Estate,  YouCanKingston . ThinkPublic  and YoungFoundation were to perform a “scoping exercise [ for NHS Kingston ] into uncovering the health needs of the estate”. The solutions then to be co-produced with citizens to improve their health and to make the estate “a flourishing place to live”.

The photos are of the final stage in which ThinkPublic and we, KU volunteers will be involved in. In the first stage the awareness was brought to the public through bright logos painted on the walls of the buildings. In the second, community members were interviewed to what their general concerns are, what is their perspective on the health of the community, and what do they think can and should be improved. In the last stage, categories have been created and community members were then asked to specifically describe solutions to the issues identified in the previous stages, and what role they are to play if something is to change.

As you can see the tables were set out, and we were to speak to individuals who came there with the knowledge that they can talk and discuss their concerns. It was our job however, to not only listen, but try to steer them to think how these concerns can be resolved into solutions. I have spoken with two community members, and it is preventitive solutions that seem to be needed the most. An “Art class for elderly”, and “an internet cafe in the now abandoned gym” for everybody are the two ideas that I hope get to be discussed and become a reality.

Liani and a community member

Rao loved working with kids

John the internet champion, the only one with the "right mind" for the job

John making me laugh:)

Paul after an attempt of the community members teaching him to breakdance:)