STREETWISE REFURB

Interior design overhaul for Streetwise Young People’s Project reception area

Roots and Wings have a profound interest in young peoples Mental Health. This interest culminated in a service design investigation (funded by Paul Hamlyn) into the Mental Health services young people in Newcastle and Gateshead experience. A key recommendation from our report was to improve the environments in which Young People receive help.

Frustrated with the speed at which statutory services were implementing our recommendations we worked with the ever-innovative Streetwise to prove this concept. Following discussions and workshops with young people and Streetwise staff  plans were drawn up and, in the space of five days with all hands on deck, we transformed their dated, dark, cluttered old space into chic, industrial hang-out fit for a hipster king, or failing that, lots of young people in search of free confidential advice, counselling and free condoms.

The airy, vibrant new reception area includes 2 large new tables, a bar-style countertop, a live-edge coffee table and reception desk (all completely custom-built with help from the brilliant Newcastle Wood Recycling), a feature wall, new light fittings and flooring, and specially commissioned triptych of paintings from a top local graffiti artist.

So far feedback about the new reception has been massively positive and Streetwise are looking into hosting out-of-hours events for young people, with suggestions ranging from a stand-up comedy night to a Dungeons & Dragons group. We’d like to wish Streetwise the best of luck getting the most out of the new space, and we’d also like to thank all those who donated time and skills and without whom this momentous refurbishment project wouldn’t have been possible.