The dream is simple...
to create a social space for the LGBTQIA+ community of Dundee. A creative hub and garden that celebrates diversity, promotes environmental awareness, inspires creativity and supports wellbeing through nature, horticulture, art and connection.
A Growing Space
A community garden project for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have green fingers or a love of nature and want to create something beautiful in Dundee.
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Are you a keen gardener? Or would you like to learn horticultural skills?
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Do you want to reconnect with nature or discover more about the environment?
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Are you someone who takes positive action towards environmental issues and making change happen?
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Are you aware of the positive impacts gardening has on mental health and wellbeing and want to explore this further?
If you are interested in becoming a part of our green team, get in touch!
A Creative Space
Creativity is a key component of the project and we're looking for artists, crafters, makers, designers and writers who want to become a part of Room to Be.
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Are you an artist, writer or creative inspired by nature? Do you look for sustainable ways to create?
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Are you a workshop facilitator looking to reach out to the LGBTQIA+ community?
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Would you like to be more artistic but don't know where to start?
Get in touch and help us shape and create the project into something you'd like to see for the city's LGBTQIA+ artistic community.
A Social Space
Having somewhere to go and different social opportunities on offer that are not only welcoming and inclusive but actively celebrates diversity and the spectrum of identities that exist within our community.
Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or ally and understand the need for a visible, beautiful, progressive, safe space like this in Dundee?
Our Manifesto
To work towards the establishment of a garden and community hub for the LGBTQIA+ community of Dundee.
Room to Be is a not for profit community project that:
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promotes wellbeing through nature, horticulture and creativity.
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aims to provide opportunity for personal growth, creativity and social connection.
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is climate aware, environmentally minded, always looking for ways to minimise waste.
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recognises the diversity and complexity of intersectionality within the LGBTQIA+ community and is active in addressing barriers to participation.
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is inclusive and celebrates the beauty of gender diversity and identity.
Meet-ups will always be safe, inclusive, accepting and kind.
Please do contact us if you have any accessibility requirements or concerns. If you struggle with social anxiety you can let us know; we will work with you to find ways to help alleviate attendance anxiety as best we can. We are happy to give more detailed forenotice of what to expect at any Meet Up if that information is helpful.
Get Involved!
Do you want to get involved?
Contact us at roomtobe.dundee@gmail.com
The Green Team
Be a part of our nature and gardening task force. You do not need any prior-horticultural knowledge, just a willingness to get your hands dirty. Meet-Ups happen flexibly throughout the week, but most often at weekends. It all depends on weather and availability. Contact us to sign up and we will keep you in the loop!
The Creatives
Creativity is a massive part of Room to Be and there are many ways our creatives can get involved. From designing art for our website, posters and promotional material; to painting planters and making sculptures for our garden; to running creative workshops to teach members new skills. Once a month we have a creative social where you can bring whatever project you're currently working on - or you can start something new from whatever we have in our craft box.
The Socialites
Connection is at the heart of everything at Room to Be, so we look to find different ways to connect and socialise with our community, from board game evenings, theatre or cinema trips, to going for a walk in nature. The possibilities are endless. Our members lead on these suggestions and Room to Be helps facilitate.
Dates for the Diary
Our Green Team meet regularly on Saturdays, 11-2pm, whatever the weather! We will always have outdoor or indoor tasks. There are tea making facilities and toilets. Our Saturday space is a wheelchair accessible community centre and raised beds.
We also meet on Wednesday evening, 6-8pm and Friday afternoon 2-4pm at our mini allotment. Please be aware, these meet-ups are more flexible and are weather dependant. We use our Signal group chat to confirm these meet-ups.
If you are new to the group, please email us beforehand to let us know you are intending to come! roomtobe.dundee@gmail.com
So amazing it only happens once a year!
This is where members will come together to discuss the development of the project and vote on who makes up the committee and steering group. There are three elected committee members with specific roles: The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and a further three positions on the steering group. These positions will be decided on the individual skills of the elected member and the needs of the project.
Chill/Create is our monthly creative social held at Cake or Dice. You can come along with your own creative project or join in with whatever planned activity we've brought along. It is usually held on the penultimate Sunday of every month.
WHO ARE WE?
Emile Mackie
(He/Him)
Project Co-Ordinator
A man of many hats! Emile is a professional gardener, trained in horticulture and countryside management with a background in support work. He is also a novelist, freelance literary consultant and creative writing mentor.
Emile cares deeply about people, community, SOIL, plants, wildlife, sustainability, the environment, words, literature, music and the arts. He compulsively likes to learn new things and is almost always on a new course.
Mel Kalkan
(She/Her)
Creative Engagement Co-Ordinator
Textiles artist, surface designer, fabric fanatic and colour and pattern enthusiast, Mel is qualified in Photography and Fine Art and holds her certificate in Counselling (Level 3). Her professional background is in inclusive educational provisions, resource development and the delivery of courses with differentiated learning objectives.
Mel cares deeply about inclusivity and safe spaces for marginalised members of society, and is a strong proponent of making, creating and crafting as a means of improving wellbeing.
THIS COULD BE YOU
(Your pronouns)
How could you help us?
If you are keen to get involved with Room to Be and have skills you'd like to share, then get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.
THIS COULD BE YOU
(Your pronouns)
How could you help us?
Are you an artist, illustrator, designer etc. and keen to help in a creative capacity?
Would you like to be a fundraiser?
Do you have experience facilitating workshops?
Are you interested in the organisational elements and want to help steer the project?
Can you help improve our website?
Our Network
