Socially disadvantaged users in Odense helped to shape and value a new courtyard at the Danish Church Aid's Warm Room on Østergade. The courtyard was transformed from asphalt and gravel to a garden with sensory zones and the opportunity to participate in nature's life cycle. Stigmatisation on the decline In an age where anti-homeless design and removal of public benches have become commonplace in Denmark, Odense Municipality has chosen to take a different path. Odense Municipality wants to create an appreciative framework for the homeless and socially vulnerable in the city - in Odense, there must be room for the socially vulnerable on equal terms with all other citizens and urban space users. From socially vulnerable to expert in everyday life Through involvement, users have helped define their needs, discussed design and solutions and participated in the construction. ‘They are super users in their own situation. That's why it was crucial for us to involve the users in all phases of the project in order to create a quality solution. That's why we turned up without any ideas or drawings. It only came after we had talked long, hard and several times with the users.’ says Kenneth A. Balfelt.  The garden as a weapon against stress The users expressed a need for meaningful activities, a quiet place to relax, plants to look after and it was clear that they are under a lot of pressure, stress and plagued by anxiety and sometimes fear. Therefore, Kenneth Balfelt Team and the users developed a courtyard concept. The courtyard garden has different zones depending on what the users need and want, for example, there is room for ‘partying’ in the garden sheds, and the garden offers both more low-key community and alone time as well as different levels of engagement in the form of petanque games with other users or staff and caring for the garden.