Dundee Changemakers SOUP July 2025 - Dundee Central
- hello770675
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
At the end of last month we held the first of four Dundee Changemakers SOUPS we have planned for coming months at CANVAS Dundee.
Serving up the popular Detroit SOUP format with a fresh Dundonian twist, we accepted applications from climate and social justice projects across Dundee Central; Maryfield and Coldside, for their chance to pitch for one of three £1,000 prizes. Five projects are selected to pitch at the SOUP event. Winners are chosen by attendees who have the opportunity to vote for their favourite projects (over a bowl or two of soup) after hearing all of the pitches.
The five projects selected to pitch at our Dundee Central SOUP were; Tending Gardens, Room to Be, Dundee Therapy Garden, Re/Shape, and Dundee Youth Groups:
Tending Gardens seeks to support young people in Dundee aged 16-24 with training, opportunities, and employment in horticulture by providing paid opportunities to improve existing planters in public spaces across Dundee Central, many of which are currently poorly maintained due to limitations with Council or volunteer capacity.
Funding from Dundee Changemakers SOUP will go toward raising public awareness of the project, the purchase of materials, and to compensate the young people involved for their work.
Room to Be are a grassroots LGBTQIA+ community group helping to develop a creative garden and nature friendly green space at the Boomerang community centre in Stobswell.
The project aims to deliver an urban art planting and seating area for the garden at Boomerang in collaboration with other community groups. Celebrating diverse identities through a combination of nature, creativity, and connection.
The SOUP funding will go to sourcing sustainable materials, plants, and art supplies, adding trellis, and bug hotels.
At Dundee Therapy Garden a small, skilled team including two qualified counsellors and a mental health therapist are supported by local volunteers to provide a sanctuary for veterans and emergency service personnel from across Dundee.
Their year-round programme combines structured gardening, counselling, and group support. The communal lunch is an integral part of the project, where everyone can sit and eat together.
Funding from the SOUP will help to supplement the home grown produce from the garden to provide these lunches.
Re/Shape offers inclusive art sessions using materials that would otherwise go to landfill. They make creativity accessible while caring for our environment, sparking imagination and building community through craft.
Re/Shape's sessions are open to all, with a focus on supporting people who are facing social or economic challenges.
SOUP funding will support local artists to deliver inclusive Re/Shape sessions. It will also support Change and Grow volunteers as they learn to deliver classes and expand their community involvement.
Dundee Youth Groups offer young people with ADHD access to tailored youth clubs, and activities such as art, sport, cooking, and outdoor adventures. They build confidence, resilience, and health in neurodiverse young people.
SOUP funding will be used to expand and elevate their youth sessions in Stobswell, form connections with other community groups across Dundee, tailor their activities to support individual needs, and to offer volunteer training to better understand ADHD across the entire project.
Tending Gardens and Room to Be each won £1,000, but Dundee Therapy Garden, Re/Shape, and Dundee Youth Groups didn't leave empty-handed. They shared an even portion of the remaining £1,000 prize, topped-up by generous donations from attendees!
The three remaining SOUPs we have planned will cover Dundee East, West, and North. Keep an eye on our socials, events page, or sign up to our newsletter for tickets, or to find out how to apply to pitch your project at an upcoming SOUP!
Whether you plan to pitch for your idea or project, or just to come along and enjoy the evening, we look forward to welcoming you to our SOUPs. See you there!
