Celebrating Changemakers in Dundee

By Cain Lindsay

Changemakers: Dundee in Action was an evening of storytelling, conversation, and connection; celebrating the incredible work of local people and grassroots organisations driving climate action and social justice in our city. As Dundee Changemakers Hub first full year of funding drew to a close, ScrapAntics Community Space in the Wellgate welcomed around 80 guests from various groups and organisations to honour the efforts of changemakers in the city.

After an initial meet and greet, and a delicious spread from Uppertunity, guests made their way through the library to Steps Theatre for the night’s main event.

Lauren Herd has been a Citywide Community Journalist for the Dundee Changemakers Hub for the past seven months. Throughout that time, she has travelled across the city, meeting local changemakers to learn more about their projects, with the ultimate goal to showcase their positive change in a feature film at the end of year celebration.

Lauren said about the filming:

Interviewing for this film was so affirming; the people I met , so inspiring; the projects so impactful, I didn't want to stop.

Wait was finally over, and as the guests were seated Lauren’s hard work finally paid off for all to see! Lauren captured some incredible footage of ongoing work as well as plenty of friendly faces behind those projects to give credit to the people making positive, sustainable change in the city.

The film included many local groups: Ninewells and Dawson Park Community Gardens, Wee Forests, Bonnie Dundee and Campy Growers. There were also those targeting a reduction of food waste, such as: Gleaning at Transition Dundee, Menzieshill FoodHub, Grow Dundee, and many of the gardens and aforementioned groups who also lend a hand in combating food poverty.

Other unique projects were also seen on screen, such as North Sea Knitters, Eco-Dundee and their “say no to pesticides” initiative, Dundee Rep Theatre, The Maxwell Centre, Kinship Workshop and Dundee’s own climate celeb Laura Young, otherwise known by her social media handle LessWasteLaura! Laura’s inclusion in the film, with clips from the various news segments and interviews she has featured in over the years, was particularly special in showing how far local projects can reach, with her influence appearing nationwide.

Up next was a panel discussion. Sharing their thoughts and expertise on how to execute change and what it means to be a changemaker was Charlotte Young, Ravideep Kaur - a poet, speaker, and facilitator, and Daniel Burns, a volunteer with the Maxwell Centre.

The trio were a lovely combination, and they shared personal experiences in response to questions. It was an interesting blend of informal discussion with quips and jokes along the way, all while addressing some of the challenges we face.

Once the panellists had shared their thoughts, a ‘pass the mic’ was opened up for anyone to chip in with their own project or event news. It was an opportunity snapped up by keen audience members to throw their exciting work out there for all to hear.

Overall, the night panned out exactly as intended. It truly felt like a celebration of changemakers. Everyone who featured in Lauren’s film, everyone sat in the audience, and of course, everyone who took the stage, were all there with the desire to create positive change in Dundee. Whether those were through new developments, already well-established projects in the city, workers, volunteers or even those who simply offered their support and best wishes. It was a refreshing realisation that anybody can be a changemaker.

As the guests and panellists headed back to ScrapAntics to wind down and mingle more there was one final surprise. [Band name] played out the theatre with a fantastic drumming performance. “The people, united, will never be defeated” was the rallying cry from the band as they brought the evening to a perfect conclusion with their words of support for the city’s changemakers.

The Dundee Changemakers Hub now heads into another financial year with a fresh round of Scottish Government funding. As the team and projects develop for the year ahead, Dundee Changemakers Hub looks forward to even more collaboration and engagement with the city’s incredible people building a better future.