Space Management—Fixed Site Specific
Hacks for Waiting Room or Lounge Management
Posted in Space Management—Fixed Site Specific.
Waiting areas are often the first part of a service space that people experience, so setting a calm, welcoming tone matters. A few simple practices—like clear signage, consistent expectations, and light refreshments—can help reduce tension and support a respectful environment. The tips below offer practical ways to create waiting spaces that feel safe, inclusive, and grounded in harm reduction values.
- Post signage clearly and in multiple languages.
- Enforce rules consistently.
- Have your community help self-police.
- If possible, offer light refreshments like coffee and nutritional snacks.
- Don’t forget that independent non-profits can sign up to buy food at the local food pantry for pennies on the dollar for distribution.
- Assume positive intent and treat people like they want to do the right thing—it may not be true, but it is always disarming.
- Watch for agitated behaviors such as arguments, mumbling, pacing, or any sudden change in demeanor.
Featured Hacks
These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive.
Edie Springer’s Worker Stances for Clients Who Use Drugs & Harm Reduction Worker: Best Practices
Featured in: Featured, Hacks for Preventing Escalation
Harm reduction immediately resonated for Edie, who was herself a former drug user and methadone patient. Faced with the devastation of HIV’s impact on drug-using communities, Edie fully embraced harm reduction and trained hundreds of harm reduction workers who have carried her legacy with them. She developed these worker stances in 1996 and they have been shared among many of us in the harm reduction community for generations.
Policy Creation Hacks
Featured in: Featured, Hacks for Preventing Escalation
Creating effective policies in harm reduction work means grounding them in your mission, being thoughtful about their impact, and ensuring they’re both practical and inclusive. The tips below offer a starting point for organisations looking to build policies that reflect their values, meet external requirements, and genuinely support the people they serve and work with.