Step Change Design

Step Change Design Ltd was formed to take forward the findings from our research into what it takes to create actively used gardens around care environments. The key finding from this research identified a correlation between the organisation’s care culture and engagement with the outside space. This inform our practice and reposition design support alongside an understanding of the current care culture practices in the organisation supporting care clients in delivering more person-centred care through the eyes of the garden.

Understanding how an organisation currently relates to their existing outside space enables us to propose the most appropriate support that will be cost effective, fully owned by the staff and residents and based on currently identified needs aligned with and improving person-centred care practices. We call this approach ‘Relationship-Centred Design’.

Our support is delivered to both Care organisations and the Landscape, garden, design sectors through consultations, workshops, speaking events and our self-help books and tools in the ‘Why don’t we go into the garden?’ series. A limited number of designs may also be undertaken or we can come alongside a local designer to support applying our findings to their brief and how they deliver their support to ensure the gardens are used long after we have left.