The idea for the group was co-produced between staff and service users following a suggestion in a community meeting that the dining room could be improved. This then started a discussion around what would people like to see? What styles? How could it be made to look better?
The newly formed DIY Group ultimately decided upon a shabby chic look for the dining room. Once a theme had been agreed upon, the service’s therapy coordinators then began sourcing the materials needed to amend the furniture already within the service.
The materials were mainly purchased from local suppliers and once they were delivered, the group began working through each part of the dining room. First they updated the cupboards, then addressed the tables, before finding items to put on the wall and choosing new curtains and place mats etc.
To produce the shabby chic design of the cupboards, the group first sanded the cupboards down, painted them, before letting them dry. They were then rubbed down again to create the shabby chic effect with a waxed finish.
The centre pieces for the table were created by gluing plastic vases to a wooden slice. The vases were then decorated with stones and fresh flowers. The flowers have subsequently been replaced each week as a flower arranging activity.
In total the DIY group ran for ten weeks. It was well attended and the individuals supported at Cygnet Aspen Clinic were at the heart of the design and work decisions. The result is a fantastic dining room, which has a much more welcoming, warmer and homely feel.