The Aging Well is one of team project we did about using service design research methods to gather and
visualize data relating to isolation and loneliness of elderly people. Moreover, we are trying to explore new service design opportunities with Camden Council and other stakeholders.
Introduction
This project explores new service design opportunities for isolation and loneliness of elderly people in the Camden Council. When it comes to my team research process, we used the Double Diamond model that divided into four distinct phases: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver to illustrate details of research process.
Currently, the population of the UK is rapidly growing in size and becoming increasingly older. These social trends are increasing the risk that they will experience loneliness and social isolation in later life. Camden Council, like all councils in the UK, is going to have to respond to these trends as best it can.
This project explores new service design opportunities for isolation and loneliness of elderly people in the Camden Council. When it comes to my team research process, we used the Double Diamond model that divided into four distinct phases: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver to illustrate details of research process.
Discover
Both of primary and secondary researches were conducted to learn the background of Somers Town. We found this area was mainly residential with a concentration of social housing and some important local shopping streets, parks, schools and community facilities.
In order to find many first hand materials from local people, we focused on four particular services, which are from St Mary’s church, Great Croft, St Pancras Community center, Cock Tavern where we can chat directly and have activities with older people in the local area to reduce loneliness and social isolation in old age.
On the basis of friendship development, we interviewed with elderly people in Somers Town to find out their real needs, and acquire revealing empathy about other people’s experiences.
In order to find many first hand materials from local people, we focused on four particular services, which are from St Mary’s church, Great Croft, St Pancras Community center, Cock Tavern where we can chat directly and have activities with older people in the local area to reduce loneliness and social isolation in old age.
On the basis of friendship development, we interviewed with elderly people in Somers Town to find out their real needs, and acquire revealing empathy about other people’s experiences.
Interview : Camden Age UK (Great Croft Resource Centre)
Summary for Camden Age UK interview
Interview : Cock Tavern pub with Magnetic icon book
Understanding for Community through magnetic icon book we could be aware of connection between the neighbors.
Define
On the basis of discover phase, we identified that the main barrier for those who feel unhappy or lonely is a narrow social network. In order to confirm our problems deeply and to find what is the best alternative to our solution, in the second phase, we carried on research methodologies including brainstorming, user personas and prototyping.
On the basis of discover phase, we identified that the main barrier for those who feel unhappy or lonely is a narrow social network. In order to confirm our problems deeply and to find what is the best alternative to our solution, in the second phase, we carried on research methodologies including brainstorming, user personas and prototyping.
User Personas
Develop
Responding to the pervious phase, our service solution was to get the elderly population to record those local individuals whose support had been important to them. We would then encourage and facilitate the crafting of badges by the elderly, for them to give to those whose support they had considered valuable. In this phase, we set out to explore the following questions: what value will our solution deliver to the elderly people? How could this value be increased? And what might prevent our idea from being implemented? To address these issues, we continued to use research tools such as experience prototyping in order to get more feedback and insights on how the service intervention might be developed.
We sketched numerous different styles and formats that we considered might be effective ways of getting the elderly to recollect and disclose their network of supportive individuals.
After exploring different aspects of the solution, such as what style of ‘awards’ would be most appropriate, we were able to confidently move on to question how the service might most effectively be delivered.
Responding to the pervious phase, our service solution was to get the elderly population to record those local individuals whose support had been important to them. We would then encourage and facilitate the crafting of badges by the elderly, for them to give to those whose support they had considered valuable. In this phase, we set out to explore the following questions: what value will our solution deliver to the elderly people? How could this value be increased? And what might prevent our idea from being implemented? To address these issues, we continued to use research tools such as experience prototyping in order to get more feedback and insights on how the service intervention might be developed.
We sketched numerous different styles and formats that we considered might be effective ways of getting the elderly to recollect and disclose their network of supportive individuals.
After exploring different aspects of the solution, such as what style of ‘awards’ would be most appropriate, we were able to confidently move on to question how the service might most effectively be delivered.
Badge-making
Deliver
Below is a set of badges given as a prize to different people from the community. The Hero badge is awarded to a specific member of the community whom has always helped others and looked after them. This badge has the function of motivating people to help each other more. People in need of care can refer to the Hero for help.
The Clubs badges are for people who share same interests. By spotting others wearing the same badge, they can start a conversation, thus creating new connections within the community. The main purpose of those badges is to give the owner a sense of belonging. The idea behind the Hand-made task is that it can be an extra activity for the elderly and could also follow with cooperation with established companies to sell their products and ideas.
The badges were finally delivered to the Cock Tavern and were mostly welcomed by members of the community.
Below is a set of badges given as a prize to different people from the community. The Hero badge is awarded to a specific member of the community whom has always helped others and looked after them. This badge has the function of motivating people to help each other more. People in need of care can refer to the Hero for help.
The Clubs badges are for people who share same interests. By spotting others wearing the same badge, they can start a conversation, thus creating new connections within the community. The main purpose of those badges is to give the owner a sense of belonging. The idea behind the Hand-made task is that it can be an extra activity for the elderly and could also follow with cooperation with established companies to sell their products and ideas.
The badges were finally delivered to the Cock Tavern and were mostly welcomed by members of the community.
Scenario
This scenario shows how the hero badges work. Community residents vote for one of the three candidates heroes. The candidate who receives the majority of the votes is elected Community Hero. Following to this, he is awarded with the badge. The new Hero feels a sense of worth for the community and is motivated to do more. Many other people may follow his example and so he becomes a role model for the whole community. Many people recognize the value of the person and praise him for his will to help. This can also function as advertisement for the community hero scheme and consequently people may wish to follow his example. The hope here is to transform Somers Town into a Heroes town.
