School/Directorate: Cardiff School of Art and Design
Key Theme: Supports the University’s Sanctuary Status; promoting integration between Home and International Students
Impact and Achievements:
An evening event was held celebrating the University’s dye and fibre gardens with an international audience who took part in botanical dye workshops and ate a delicious international meal. The VC attended and took the opportunity to formally launch the University’s sustainable growing futures initiative at the event. Most attendees were of international origin and took part in a botanical dyeing activity based on ingredients of their international meal. The event was held outdoors in the pergola adjacent to the gardens at the heart of Llandaff campus. Around 53 people attended the event.
Given that attendees included representatives from Welsh Government and Cardiff Council as well as staff and clients from the city’s leading charity for refugees and asylum seekers, the Muslim Council of Wales (MCW), the Wales Syrian Society, Cardiff Met’s international student community and staff whose roles touch on carbon reduction, it is clear that the event raised awareness among the event’s target group. Oasis and MCW are keen to develop further international collaborative engagement in the garden. Over 40 people took part in a botanical bundle dyeing workshop, leading to knowledge being shared in sustainable dye methods and fibre production sustainability.
The impact of the event and gardens have raised a broad awareness and interest in increased volunteers and potential research opportunities. Oasis is keen to develop a collaborative project and perhaps run some botanical dye workshops for more clients at their own HQ.