Welcome to the first in a series of blogs from participants of the Fabric programme!
Fabric is a unique peer learning journey that brings together creative practitioners and community organisers in Dundee to connect, share knowledge, and explore how collective action can inspire a better future. The programme is designed to foster collaboration and imagination through a series of sessions focused on community and climate action, in which participants are invited to explore ways of creating a more just, sustainable future.
If you missed the introductory blog about Fabric, you can read it here. Over the coming months, we’ll feature blogs written by participants, sharing their personal experiences and key takeaways from each session.
In this first session, titled "Play & Collective Imagination", participants gathered at Hapworks to embark on a day of inspiring talks, playful activities, and collaborative discussions. Below, James Morwood reflects on his experience:
__________________________________________
Arriving a little late at Hapworks for the first of the Fabric sessions, focused on "Play & Collective Imagination", I was excited to meet the other folk taking part. After being welcomed by lots of friendly faces, I took a seat and soon Claire Dufour introduced the day’s activities and the Fabric project as a whole. She gave an inspiring overview of the CULTIVATE project that recently concluded. One of the many approaches that resonated with me was the idea of going far together, instead of going fast alone. Hearing these words made me hopeful as I have struggled recently with burnout in my own experiences taking climate action.
Afterwards we heard uplifting experiences from other community organisers in and around Dundee. Ele Roscoe, a close friend and co-ordinator at Dundee Changemakers Hub shared the importance of understanding that Social Justice and Climate Justice are intertwined and we can help each other find the power we hold to make change in our communities. They shared the pilot projects Changemakers are involved in and the exciting new role of community journalists who are tasked with going out and finding positive news about local Changemakers to inspire and raise up those who are already taking action for a better collective future.
Lynsey Penny talked about how Transition Dundee has grown from early ideas like their Community Fridge and The Wardrobe, taking place into local public spaces to start discussions, leading to their free section that provides clothes to anyone whether or not they can make a donation. Transition Dundee took part in CULTIVATE, in collaboration with queer artist Jade Anderson, together they shone a light on actions and stories from communities that are not just about saving the planet but also the mental health of those affected by poverty: Wee Wardrobe.
This theme of going out into the community was continued with Sandy Greene from Scrap Antics sharing how making space for play in its many forms can give young people the confidence they need to be themselves. The idea that "play is how we wrestle with life to find meaning" really stuck with me. (Scrap Antics also took part in CULTIVATE, delivering free outdoor family-friendly workshops across Dundee, using interactive marble runs built from reclaimed materials to reimagine our neighbourhoods together.)
This focus on play was echoed in Suzanne Scott and Rod Mountain's Toadstool Trail project which is taking little toadstools out into nature for people of all ages to enjoy and connect with nature in a playful way. Something both Sandy and Suzanne spoke about was that having access to endless different things to do and toys to play with can actually lead to more stressful and restricted play. They talked about the endless enjoyment they had found as children going outside in the mud and playing with sticks or coming up with inventive ways to use a plank and a brick. It brought back memories from my childhood climbing trees and making dens. The connection to nature I made while playing outside as a child has led to my sense of care for the planet and I am very grateful for that.
After the talks we had some delicious, hot cauliflower soup made by Uppertunity using some of Transition’s gleaning project pickings. Soon Suzanne and Rod took us on our own wee toadstool trail in Slessor Gardens. We paired up with someone we hadn’t talked to yet. I partnered with Cara and we took an activity sheet from Rod. I had a lot of fun following the little prompts together like smelling the sensory garden’s lavender, making a universe and imitating a Dundee animal (banana seal for me and oystercatcher for Cara). All while keeping an eye out for the little lovingly painted toadstool Suzanne was hiding along the way. At the end I was ecstatic to receive my own little biodegradable toadstool which I cannot wait to decorate and hide somewhere near me.
Back at Hapworks Claire revealed the final group activity. We spread out around the room and imagined that where we stood was our home on a big collective map. The people near us were our neighbours and Claire asked us to approach some of our own real world problems by working and playing together. There were plenty of reused materials from cardboard to green netting that we could use to make a representation of our idea on the map beneath us.
Before I knew it there was already a flurry of activity! I went up to Rod and started playing my part of friendly neighbour, asking what he would like to change for the better near him. He explained his recent excitement about litter picking and asked for ideas for how to get others involved when he was out cleaning up. I suggested propping up a little sign to inspire people walking by to help out, especially if there was a spare litter picker going. Rod liked the idea and quickly got to work on a little sign while I made a fun cardboard bin that would attract people to use it.
Around the room everyone was stuck in and having fun but also discussing these large, difficult topics through the perspective of play that Claire and all the talks had given us. Shortly before the end of the session we gathered together and the idea of community journalists was brought back. A few volunteers were asked to take a newspaper template and listen to each group talk about their ideas before writing up a little article. I can’t wait to see what was written!
The first group made up of Eirinn, Suzanne, Robert, Shona and Alex, had the idea of pairing farms with schools to create space and time for pupils to grow, prepare and cook their own food from soil to stomach. All represented by a wonderful cardboard school, big cart filled with veg and even a campfire for baking potatoes. Ele had planned out a community arts center with lots of different supplies and space for people to experiment and share skills. This was alongside Eilish’s beachside wellness center, both of which were joined by a cycle path. Cara, Kirsten, Fatima and Lizzie had built an entire cardboard jute mill, converted into a community owned and run space filled with art studios, rooftop garden, cafe and even a laundromat. All the ideas were so fun and playful while tackling the problems we brought from our own experiences.
Having the space and time to slow down, be playful and discuss these difficult ideas has made me so excited for the next session and to find more opportunities in my own life to be more connected to nature and my local community. You can be sure I will be keeping an eye out for those little toadstools; they could pop up anywhere!
— James Morwood
Meet the FABRIC cohort:
Alexander Daniels (Alex) is working for Transition Dundee as Gleaning Coordinator. He helps to save food from waste at local growers / farmers – any surplus, leftover or outgraded produce. This includes organising volunteers and community groups to help with harvesting of the surplus produce and distributing the produce to local community food projects.
Cara Rooney is an illustrator and plaything maker based in Dundee. Through her creative practice, she encourages connection to nature and a sense of child-like curiosity through illustrations, workshops and live drawings — and hopes to influence change by connecting local people and children to their city and the nature around them.
Eirinn Leigh Reay is a Scottish designer and 1/4 of Agency of None, a Dundee-based design agency. The projects that give her the most joy and satisfaction are those that involve designing for good. Her Instagram is @reay.el if you would like to see what she gets up to!
Ele Roscoe is a craftsperson and community artist, making ceramic sculpture and jewellery as well as illustrated zines in their own practice. As a community artist they facilitate workshops to support folks' wellbeing and mental health through exploring individual creativity in visual arts practice/making. They also run the Art Group at DIWC and are Hub Coordinator for Dundee Changemakers Hub. Check their creative diary at @kippleandpelf and on Etsy.
Elizabeth Ann Day (Lizzie) is a Dundee-based programmer and arts organiser, who specialises in the utilisation of non-traditional settings for works of contemporary art and design. In the position of Project Coordinator at UNESCO City of Design Dundee, she recently delivered Dundee Design Festival 2024, the festival's largest iteration yet.
Fatima Ishaq is a student, youth worker and activist; passionate about social justice, supporting others to reach their potential, and supporting communities to drive change. In her spare time, she loves exploring and connecting with nature!
Francesca Bibby is currently a curator at V&A Dundee and previously worked in exhibition curation, rapid response collecting and artist residency facilitation at various museums and galleries in Manchester. Her independent research explores climate resilience and the development of sustainable design methodologies through nature-based solutions, traditional knowledge and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
James Morwood is a game-maker and artist, part of Bit Loom and Biome Collective. Fascinated by play in the everyday, recently he's been drawing fantastical crowds and crafting branching zines. James enjoys volunteering with Tinderbox youth games club, Stobswell wee forest and Transition Dundee's gleaning project. Find him at https://jctm.neocities.org
Kirsten Wallace is passionate about sharing the power of design through community learning and outreach, and is one of two Project Coordinators for UNESCO City of Design Dundee. Outside her role, she fills her time with as many creative outlets as she possibly can, from sewing to singing!
Manuela de los Rios is an interdisciplinary artist, community gardener and organiser based in Dundee. She works creatively with people to make our neighbourhoods and cities better places for nature and people to thrive in.
Rhiannon Rose Moore (Rio) works with communities on a variety of projects, most recently the Wild in Art Sculpture Trails as an Artist Coordinator. She enjoys bringing together artists and making them a group, sharing their stories so that they can feel comfortable learning peer to peer, but also being inspired by each other. Her work is varied, from Messy Play practitioner, Shamanic Practitioner, Artist/Sculptor, Community Organiser and Face Painter. As a consequence she meets a lot of people and enjoys creating Space for Play and Creativity.
Robert Cook sees himself as a ‘background worker’ and has served in roles (mainly clerical or financial) that enable others with a more creative streak to be active in their roles – bringing his lived experience to enable others to grow through the life issues they face as they seek reassurance and to grow in confidence. He looks forward to rejoining as a member of the CRF panel for his local area, which sought to improve the well-being of residents through funding local projects and initiatives. He's also been part of men's groups (including Andy's Man Club), giving peer support.
Rod Mountain and Suzanne Scott (WhimSicAL LusH) are developing 'Toadstool trails' as a playful way to get young and older people outdoors having fun together in spaces close to home, connecting with nature. They are forming partnerships with the Dundee Botanic Gardens, RSPB, NHS Tayside, Maxwell centre, Education Scotland, Eden Project and the RSA. Keep a lookout for a 'Toadstool Trail' popping-up near you! https://whimsicallush.co.uk/🍄-the-toadstool-trail-🍄/
Sandy Grene: Having been a freelance community facilitator for the last 30 years, setting up Scrap Antics was to enable me to work as part of a team sharing knowledge and enabling the creation of so many more projects with different community groups. I love my role and the celebration of the people who we interact with on a daily basis.
Shona Cherry is Hub Coordinator at Dundee Changemakers, and has been working in sustainability, mainly in food and drink, for 6 years. Her work-life of over 30+ years has taken her through many industries, sectors and roles, and led her to return to a role supporting and serving the incredible people of Dundee.
Skye Sutherland is a community-centred designer focused on enhancing health and well-being through creative, inclusive practices. Her work often blends traditional design practice with digital technology, fostering exploration and growth. She's dedicated to driving social impact and environmental justice through innovative design solutions that empower and connect diverse communities.
Suzanne Scott (WhimSicAL LusH) is an artist and illustrator based in Dundee. Her work spans illustration and the creation of murals, sculptures, and interactive art installations, often featuring whimsical themes inspired by nature and folklore. She loves being outdoors, having fun! Check her work on www.whimsicallush.co.uk and connect on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest & Etsy: all @whimsicallush.
You can find all the photos from FABRIC Session #1 on Flickr.