Sarah Nazir (she/her)
I am driven to transform lives for the better. I believe that the power of design lies in engaging multiple and diverse perspectives, enabling people to navigate complexity and collaborate with partners to create innovative processes and products that shape a better future.
As a designer, my values are rooted in the pursuit of innovative change through collaboration. I believe in the power of people and designers coming together to drive transformative solutions. Adaptability is crucial in navigating the ever-changing landscape, and I embrace the challenge of understanding and responding to evolving trends. My design approach is human-centred, with a strong focus on creating solutions that meet the needs of individuals. I also value partnership and conflict resolution as essential elements for fostering innovation in my work.
Bia: Your partner in Safety Evolution
Why do women continue to experience feelings of insecurity while traversing public spaces, even in an era of significant global advancement? Why does the apprehension surrounding one’s journey home persist universally among women, irrespective of geographical location?
This inquiry highlights a profound contradiction between prevailing safety paradigms and their efficacy in safeguarding women. A complex interplay of power dynamics and multifaceted constraints encompassing cultural, societal, and psychological dimensions contributes to this dissonance. Through an in-depth exploration of these factors and the cultivation of enhanced insights into collaborative frameworks of accountability, this research elucidates a transformative paradigm shift: transitioning the locus of responsibility from an individual to a community-centric model.
This thesis examines extant models and collaborative initiatives within communities and governmental bodies. The emergent outcome of the envisioned service is an amalgamation of policy and digital touchpoints, christened as “Bia.” Drawing inspiration from the Greek Goddess of power, this thesis outlines a conceptual service blueprint poised to catalyse a paradigmatic evolution in the realms of safety, solidarity, and collective obligation.
Caring Transitions
The care system in the UK is huge and the number of homes and young people within that space has been rising every year. As per 2021, there were 13,255 children in care homes and 2,861 social workers working in the system. There has been a direct imbalance, and about 55% of the social workers handle more than 20 cases and the number goes up to 40 and more too.
The system requires assistance but due to the negative perception and inappropriate behaviour, it is challenging to identify a suitable platform. Young individuals in the system require genuine support and nurturing, however, many have experienced significant challenges within the system and yearn for support to endure.
Our service design project is centred on improving the transitional phases of care for young people in care homes in the UK. The brief was to identify and address unmet needs, with the ultimate goal of better meeting the needs and experiences of young people engaged in the care system.
To approach this challenge, our team explored the complex issues that young people face during this transitional phase. We recognised that many of these individuals have experienced broken relationships, often leading to a sense of powerlessness and feelings of being misunderstood by society. These challenges can manifest in numerous ways, including difficulties with education, housing, employment, and mental health.
We also recognised that social workers play a significant role in the lives of young people in care homes. Social workers are responsible for coordinating care and support services, working closely with young people and their families, and liaising with other organisations involved in the care system. As such, the perspective of social workers was a critical component of our project.
To develop solutions that better meet the needs of young people in care homes, we focused on creating an inclusive and collaborative process. We engaged with young people, social workers, and other organisations to gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the care system. Through this process, we worked to create solutions that take into account the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders, in order to enhance the service provision and ultimately improve the lives of young people in care homes.
keywords: transition, young people, relationships, empowerment, social worker