Exploring the Edges

Exploring the Edges is a series of collaborations with local groups led by and supporting people who may be marginalised as a result of discrimination.

The barriers people face to take up space. Over three sessions we will be providing a collaborative, safe and inclusive discussion circles for folks to come together, have open and honest conversations and share experiences around physical and figurative edges.

The first collaboration is with The Bicycle Adventure Club a LGBTQ+, Women and XXL led group with a passion for creating a friendly, safe & supportive environment where adventurers of all backgrounds & abilities can move beyond their comfort zone to experience the mental & physical benefits of connecting with their bicycle, the landscape & people through led rides, workshops and social spaces.

The sessions will explore: physical boundaries in the landscape and in our heads, how plants and animals exploit edges, and a discussion circle on beyond the edge. A hazel and twine-grid frame will hold a countermap, a visualisation of boundaries experienced by participants. After each session people can contribute to the map using the natural materials provided based on what they have been to see and talked about during the session. The legacy will be a community generated natural map that can be photographed every month as the edges soften, the map decomposes, and is returned to the Earth; illustrating the impermanence of boundaries, and how they change over time.

Exploring the Edges is part of Growing Land Connections, led by Ekho Collective CIC as part of Dudley People's School for Climate Justice.

Exploring the Edges is led by Time Rebel Deb McDonald.