Employment Transition Support and Independent Living Training Facility 'SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya' Renovated!

Social Design Works, a specified non-profit organization (Headquarters: Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Representative: Tsuyoshi Kitayama), has reopened "SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya" (Social Square Nishinomiya), a welfare facility for people with disabilities operated in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, after renovation.

With this renovation, a small park open to the community called "pocket park" has been newly established at the eaves of the facility. By opening it as a place for relaxation and interaction, a new initiative has begun to connect the city and the facility, and the facility and people.

■Purpose and Background of the Renovation

The purpose of this renovation is not merely to refresh the facility, but to "expand the range of values that can be provided to become a facility chosen by the community."

Many people who visit the facility are not only seeking advice on employment and daily life but also "a place to belong in society." Therefore, we wanted to create a place where those feelings can be accepted, and where people would think, "I want to use this place."

Furthermore, SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya values its connection with the community. Because we love the city of Nishinomiya, we want more people to know about this place and make it open not only to users but also to local residents.

Our journey so far has been built by the previous team. This renovation is also a challenge for the current team to move to the next step by exchanging ideas. Aiming for a slightly different landscape than before, the entire team is taking a new step forward.

■Features of the Renovation

This renovation aimed to create a space where local residents can easily drop by, going beyond the framework of a business office.

We are conscious of expanding its value not only as a welfare facility but also as a "place to connect with the community."

・Space Design that Changes the Image of Welfare Facilities

We have adopted a stylish and open space design that is not bound by the impression of a welfare facility.

We are creating a place that does not make people feel the psychological hurdle of "it's a welfare facility, so it's hard to enter."

In addition, unnecessary decorations and spatial reconfiguration were carried out to improve the user environment so that users can spend their time comfortably.

・Open Space Connected to the Community

The terrace and the space near the entrance are open for use by local residents. By devising partitions and layouts, we are creating a space where the inside and outside of the facility are gently connected.

・A Small Park Open to the City: "pocket park"

A small park called "pocket park" has been installed in the space under the eaves on the first floor.

It is a space designed to evoke a sense of unity with grass, like in Minecraft, and is open as a place for local residents to easily drop by and relax.

At "pocket park," we are undertaking the following initiatives as an open space that anyone can freely use:

・An open space with grass and grass chairs

・Installation of gashapon machines and food stalls

・Installation of "Machi Library" books at the eaves

・A space where people can freely sit and rest

It has become a place where people can easily use it as an extension of their daily lives, such as reading books, enjoying gashapon, or sitting and resting.

■Future Outlook

SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya will continue to evolve as a base that supports "living and working authentically within the community."

Through this renovation, we aim to expand its role as a place where users can grow while feeling connected to society, and also as a place open to local residents.

We aim for this place to be:

・A "place to belong" for someone

・A "trigger" for stepping out into society

・A "place" where the community and people connect

We will continue to work on creating a facility that is needed and chosen by the community, while valuing our connections with local residents and related organizations.

Comment from the Person in Charge

SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya

The Nishinomiya store opened in April 2017 as the second SOCIALSQUARE location.

We provide employment transition support and independent living training (life training) tailored to the individual needs of each member, centered on "select work" time where members can pursue what they want to improve and what they like. We value communication with each individual, which is possible because we are close enough to see each other's faces.

SOCIALSQUARE Nishinomiya

1F/3F Rabbit Building, 1-27 Nakamaedacho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 662-0857

10 minutes walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station and JR Nishinomiya Station

Phone number: 090-8377-4839 (Business hours Mon-Fri 8:30-17:30)

Email: ss_nishinomiya@sdws.jp
https://socialsquare.life/square_list/02-nishinomiya/

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【Inquiries regarding this matter】

NPO Social Design Works Public Relations Department, Watanabe

Email：pr@sdws.jp

【Company Profile】

NPO Social Design Works

Established: January 2017

Location: 17 Mizunode, Uchi郷uchimachi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture

Representative Director CEO: Tsuyoshi Kitayama