The perfect Hostel By roundabout young people.

Our design and investigation into what would make a grade ‘A’ hostel… By Roundabout Young People The perfect hostel

Introduction to the perfect hostel Why were we asked to do this project What did we do What did we find Our recommendations

What’s wrong with our hostel now? Old building (listed) Dilapidated No room for expansion Run down No indoor ‘recreation area’ ICT or training areas shared staff bedroom Always looks scruffy Waiting list

What did we do Met to decide how we were going to tackle this project. We decided to: Visit other hostels Ask staff what they thought Question residents about their views Talk to residents about other hostels they’d been in Work out what key workers need to do with their jobs Work out what we need to be able to do to MOVE ON successfully.

Visit- Outside City Centre hostel What we liked… Astroturf Snooker / pool chillout area Lift Disable friendly Wet rooms Car park Separate houses for move on 50+ rooms Doctors service laundry

Visit- Outside City Centre hostel What we disliked… no en-suites Well equipped kitchen with no resident access! Meal times that are set Cameras everywhere Not much going on. And things that could easily be going on not being there

Our conclusions: Location is not so important if you have the right facilities… But good facilities have to have the right services with them and this place has not got enough services or training Astroturf helps today – but a shared kitchen where you learn to cook and budget for yourself is better for tomorrow Needs “team sports” to make it work…what about if you want to exercise on your own? An indoor gym could include everyone! We thought the move on accommodation near it was brilliant.

participation Residents could campaign for cheaper or reduced travel or set up a scheme to help with costs We don’t think the residents can have been asked about this project before it was built because some simple things like access to kitchens seem to have been forgotten

Visit- City Centre hostel What we liked… Canteen area (flexible with packed lunches) En-suites Wide corridors Laundry room Snacks and drink vending machines

Visit- City Centre hostel What we didn’t like… No garden or chillout area Safety doors and cameras Limited disabled access No cooking facilities Poor lounges

Our conclusions It looked dirty straight away out the front because there was no smoking area The safety doors and cameras made it feel like a small secure prison The canteen was good but again, no kitchens…how do we learn to cook independently? There was a prayer room but no gym.

Participation The groups that were run were based around religion. We didn’t see any evidence of YP involvement, we didn’t think they were asked. They should set up a residents meeting to get people socialising and being listened to

Roundabout We talked and toured our hostel and collected ideas on things we liked and things that could be better. Our questionnaire: We wanted the staffs opinion of the building as well so we wrote a questionnaire asking about it. They gave us their opinions and we summarised them and made overall conclusions about it to add to our own before coming up with more ideas.

Roundabout What the staff thought we needed: Larger office An Interview room Reception area Separate staff sleeping area More welcoming if the 60’s décor goes Disabled access Parking

Roundabout What we liked Lifeskills / participation Activities, planning Fair sized rooms Kitchens near to our bedrooms Washer/dryers near to our bedrooms Own lounges which are homely and private Backyard for safety and socialising, not being on the streets! Cameras over exits where we need them

Roundabout What we didn’t like Décor and furniture – some of it could be more modern No Wi-Fi No ICT suite, only one computer Bathrooms are old fashioned No move on accommodation nearby Neighbours so close

Roundabout Our conclusions Poor building BUT great services So…. We need to EXPAND and keep it modern! The back yard gives us a places to socialise, so please can we take our beautiful new back yard with us?

“Perfect hostel” So the perfect hostel BUILDING FACILITIES SERVICES would be…

The perfect hostel Building 30 beds (equal size rooms) Clustered in units of 4-6 with kitchens Ensuite rooms Shared communal areas Indoor and outdoor social area for all Open an welcoming reception area

The perfect hostel Facilities Indoor sports area / gym Tuck shop run by residents ICT suite (head phones for each PC) WiFi Car park & cycle shelter Storage space

The perfect hostel Services On offer: 24 hour access to staff Key working Lifeskills – includes big kitchen, cooking and budgeting for food Consultation /participation Activities programme, run by us.

Participation Even though Roundabout is a scruffy building we’d prefer to be there than any other hostel because the staff treat you with respect. That’s what makes you feel good and confident to move on in life. And that’s what we’re here for. Moving on. Participation and lifeskills brings us all together. I’ve made friends with everyone here and that means I’m supported and happier.

Participation You get to learn new things and sometimes people aren’t ready for this but when they are it helps them to move on – to really move on. If you don’t offer this how can we learn? Astroturf helps today – but a shared kitchen where you learn to cook and budget for yourself is better for tomorrow Don’t lock us up - you are making criminals of us we’re humans like you, aren’t we?

Participation “Some people think we don’t want to get involved. When I first arrived I didn’t want to take part in anything. Do you know what though? There’s stuff I just kept getting brought into and invited to and I wouldn’t have thought of doing it, like pumpkin carving, outfit making and being here today. It’s about the constant support here that’s so brilliant.”

And don’t forget, the Perfect hostel… Has us!