Changemakers is supporting three communities in Dundee to explore how to build sustainable places to pilot ideas, connect and showcase initiatives, co-design their own ways of working, and learn from their experiences. One of these communities is Manyways, which Uppertunity is leading on for the first phase.
Manyways is one of Changemakers' pilot projects and includes organisations who support or work with individuals facing barriers. One of the aspects of the Manyways project is creating pop-up urban green spaces. We’re excited to announce the first garden is set up, and organisations are already getting green fingered.
Our first green space is on Court Street, in partnership with Dundee Changemakers Hub, Stobswell Forum SCIO, Dee Arab Bites, Dundee International Women's Centre, Turning Point and Scottish Autism. The idea was created by local organisations and community members who expressed that they wanted more spaces to garden and gather together. Councillor Lynne Short helped identify the vacant grassy spaces next to flats in local neighbourhoods as being ideal for the gardens to bloom.
We found an existing Changemaker in the community already, William, owner of Dee Arab Bites. William wanted to create a welcoming space on the green area next to his shop with the aim of connecting community members. William was keen to make this project a reality and his contributed his own time and resources. This highlights the importance of working with community members in an area. This is how true change happens.
Creating inclusive gardening spaces, bringing people together, and inspiring locals to love their neighbourhood, are the aims of this pilot project. The garden offers space to grow food and flowers, as well as a space to socialise and hopefully provide inspiration on how to use other outdoor spaces. We are looking for other communities and Changemakers in the city to support with more green spaces, and we would love to hear from you if there's one you'd like to lead on in your area which could be used by people facing barriers.
Manyways also hosted a 'SOUP' event in June at the V&A, where three local groups received funds to develop their ideas. The winners of £400 each were Sorcha, who pitched for a new project exploring how protest can be reimagined to include disabled people at its heart, as well as Action for Kids, who want to develop Action for Children's outdoor space, promoting a larger sense of belonging. The runner up was Charlotte running Artability, workshops for disabled adults in Dundee to connect with nature and each other. Charlotte has been running a few sessions now in Uppertunity's space at Dudhope Castle, where attendees have made advocacy posters, designed a wall mural and made clay sculptures.
Artability also pitched the idea of creating a wall mural in Dundee, which raises awareness of inclusivity and gives a sense of ownership. Manyways is helping make this collaboration a reality by working with Dundee City Council to identify a suitable wall, with other support organisations, and with Sorcha, a SOUP winner, to run a workshop for planning the mural. Watch this space for the location of the wall and an accompanying green space!
SOUP Microgrant winners: Charlotte, Sorcha, Eilidh
We are very excited about this pilot project, especially how various aspects of it link different organisations and individuals, all amplifying the amazing work already being done. Our aim is to demonstrate how individuals and small community groups can create more desirable and accessible neighbourhood areas, with a little support from Changemakers.
Dundee's Changemakers Hub provides:
events and workshops to connect with others, and share knowledge and skills;
practical support to new and ongoing projects;
microgrants to kick-start new ideas;
and an online platform to connect local communities and amplify voices.
To get involved, please sign up to our newsletter (at the footer of this page) and join us at our upcoming events.
Together, we'll strengthen and make Dundee better for everyone!
