Volunteering begins at the V&A Dundee Community Garden

05 September 2017

Local volunteers are talking part in the next stage of the V&A Dundee Community Garden project.

Following the design and construction of the garden in Slessor Gardens, Dundee, a range of plants will now complete the community project.

The volunteers are members of the public who responded to a local appeal and the planting will continue for several more days.

They were joined at the garden today (Tuesday 5 September) by V&A Dundee Director Philip Longas well as V&A Dundee Communities Producer Peter Nurick.

The garden was designed by people living with – and recovering from – a range of health and wellbeing issues. Some of those involved in the design process are also taking part in the planting.

At the center of the garden will be a sunken area for people to gather and talk, surrounded by a green ‘living wall’ to provide shelter. Rainwater will be collected by an overhead feature inspired by ferns.

As part of the co-design process, community participants visited allotments, took a trip to Dundee Botanic Gardens and sketched designs. The workshops were developed and delivered by design studio kennedytwaddle and design engagement specialist Linsey McIntosh.

The project highlights how the design process can support wellbeing and will result in a social space everyone can enjoy. It has been supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Careys, the subcontractor which delivered V&A Dundee’s complex curved concrete walls, supported the community project by carrying out the construction work.

Peter Nurick, V&A Dundee Communities Producer, said: “It has been fantastic to see the garden full of volunteers today. This project is all about bringing people together, sharing ideas and feeling valued.

“We have been fortunate to work with wonderful people during this project and I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have helped design, build and make this garden a reality.”