Week 3 - Brainstorming and Ideation

Week three marked a significant shift from learning to creating. Our focus turned inward to Les Jardins d’Haïti as we began the crucial ideation process for the garden renovation. This was where our theoretical training started to translate into a concrete plan of action.

We dedicated the early part of the week to brainstorming ways the garden could genuinely serve the elderly residents. We asked ourselves how the space could combat loneliness, encourage gentle activity, and foster a sense of purpose. This thinking was greatly accelerated during an ideation workshop led by our Makesense coordinator, Emma, who visited us in Marseille. She facilitated a dynamic session where both the Ageing Well and Marine Biodiversity teams came together to generate and sort ideas. It was incredibly productive to have everyone vote on the best concepts from both projects, creating a collaborative atmosphere where we could all help each other refine our plans.

A key outcome of this collaborative thinking was the development of our first major tool: a survey. The design thinking principles from the previous week guided us to create a simple questionnaire for the elderly residents. Its purpose is to understand their needs, desires, and preferences for the garden directly from them. We also drafted a separate survey for the local community to gauge their interest in using the space and to identify potential volunteers. This ensures our project remains community driven, built on their input rather than just our assumptions.

In a fascinating cross team learning opportunity, we also met with Anne Christelle, an expert in textile ecological impact at MerTerre. While not directly related to our garden project, her insights into sustainable materials and circular economies were thought provoking. It was a valuable reminder of the interconnectedness of social and environmental sustainability. Interestingly enough, Anne did not speak a word of English, and with our rather mediocre French, we had a rather fun time translating her whole presentation live on Google Translate.

This week was about laying the groundwork. We moved from abstract concepts to a clear path forward, centered on the voices of those we are here to serve. I am excited to see what the surveys reveal and to start building a garden that truly reflects the community's vision.