The Kite Garden

“Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world.”

Nadeem Aslam, The Wasted Vigil (Faber & Faber, 2008)

The Kite Garden is the heart of a neighbourhood-wide biodiversity project that develops wellbeing, deepens people’s connections with nature and builds ecosystem thinking skills as a way to approach building our own neighbourhood economies.

Aims of the project:

• To provide an environment where we can develop a nature-related identity, so that we shift our mindset to ecosystem thinking as a way to approach building our own neighbourhood economies.
• Activities that help us learn from nature and adapt ecosystem thinking to other parts of our lives, and provide accessible entry points to ecosystem thinking for an entire community.
• Connecting to place by learning more about the people who built The Kite and their relationship with nature
• To rebuild neighbourliness and trust at Brandon Court by using the garden and shared rituals as a pathway for residents, volunteers, and neighbours to live their co-created manifesto

How can I get involved?

Folks who want to join the Kite Garden project will join the project kick-off meeting on Thursday 29 January, 5.30 - 8pm, at the Alexandra Arms on Gwydir Street.

This event is called The State of Together Culture 2026: it's a moment to get clear on:

• What the Kite Garden project involves
• How we’ll make decisions together to move them forward
• How you can play a real, meaningful part

If you want to be part of shaping and delivering this work, this gathering is the starting point. Come add your voice, meet the crew, and help decide what happens next.

What will I be doing?

This project is going to be co-created by everyone involved - so we can't tell you exactly what you'll be doing! But, here's what you should come prepared to get stuck into:

• Getting your hands dirty in the garden (think weeding, planting, seed collecting)
• Building collaborative relationships with our friends, the residents of Brandon Court residential home
• Developing your ecosystem thinking skills (how we see ourselves as part of a bigger web of people and relationships)

What Does it Mean to be a Gardener? A Manifesto

A gardener tends the garden to process turbulent feelings and find peace

A gardener tends the garden to build relationships with people and other life so we feel less lonely

A gardener tends the garden as a place to care for yourself, other people, and other life forms

A gardener tends the garden to learn about themself, from one another, and from nature

A gardener tends the garden to do meaningful work and bring meaning into their life

A gardener tends the garden to cultivate a feeling of home and belonging