Who (or what) belongs? A walkshop on belonging in Southampton’s urban wilds

Name: Who (or what) belongs? A walkshop on belonging in Southampton’s urban wilds
Start: 2025-04-25T15:15:00+01:00
End: 2025-04-25T18:00:00+01:00
Location: Station Road, SO19 8FP Southampton, United Kingdom

Schedule

Fri Apr 25 2025 at 03:15 pm to 06:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Station Road, SO19 8FP Southampton, United Kingdom | Southampton, EN

Millers Pond Local Nature Reserve and Shoreburs Greenway are rich in life yet exist at the edges of attention - they are urban wilds shaped by both care and the freedom to grow untended. This walkshop explores the intersections of place, community, and belonging by engaging with what is often seen as ‘out of place’ or ‘undesirable’ - in both ecological and social structures. Through walking, photography, notetaking and discussion, we will reflect on how exclusion and inclusion shape these vital yet contested settings.
Please note that booking is required - details at the end.
Objectives:
- Explore how practices of belonging and exclusion shape place and community.
- Reflect on how narratives of dis/belonging emerge in social and ecological spaces.
- Engage in collective meaning-making through discussion and image-sharing.
- Question dominant ideas of care, responsibility, and value in relation to place.
- Contribute to PhD research that will inform discussions in environmental humanities, community studies and place-based methodologies.
What to expect:
- Welcome and introductions (15 mins)
- Explorative photography walk (approx 1.5 hours): a self-led walk alone or in pairs exploring Millers Pond Local Nature Reserve and Shoreburs Greenway, with guided prompts to take notes and photographs.
- Group reflections & discussion (1 hour): in smaller groups, space to share and reflect on our observations through some guided conversations and mapping exercises.
Who is this walkshop suitable for?
This walkshop is ideal for anyone with an interest in place, community, and the unseen narratives shaping our everyday environments. It is particularly suited to those curious about the intersections of ecology, social belonging, and urban wilds - whether as conservationists, artists, researchers, activists, or simply as engaged walkers. It will be of particular interest to those local to, knowledgeable about, or otherwise interested in Millers Pond Local Nature Reserve and Shoreburs Greenway.
No prior experience with photography or research is needed - just a willingness to observe, question, and reflect. If you are interested in how exclusion operates in both landscapes and social spaces, or in rethinking what and who belongs, you are warmly invited to take part.
Accessibility notes:
- This walkshop is designed for adults (18+).
- The event will take place in Millers Pond LNR and Shoreburs Greenway, which include both paved and unpaved paths with some uneven terrain. Participants should wear suitable footwear and clothing for outdoor conditions. The event will go ahead in light rain.
- The walk can be taken at your own pace, and there is no requirement to walk the entire route. Participants can pause, rest, or return to the venue at any time.
- There is the option to cross over to Shoreburs Greenway during your walk, which requires crossing main roads.
- The second half of the workshop will be held at Sholing Valleys Study Centre, an indoor space with seating, toilet facilities, and step-free access.
- Please note that this walkshop forms part of a PhD research project (more details below). To participate, you will be asked to provide written consent to take part prior to the walkshop.
- Photography is encouraged (therefore a smartphone with camera and wifi access is ideal), but alternatives (such as written descriptions or sketches) are welcome for those who prefer different methods of documenting observations.
- If you have any specific accessibility needs or concerns, please get in touch in advance so adjustments can be made to ensure your participation.
- Light refreshments will be provided.
Research, consents & how to book:
This walkshop is part of a research project undertaken by PhD student Rae Turpin (School of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies at Goldsmiths University, London), exploring themes of place, belonging, and exclusion in urban wilds. Participation involves contributing to discussions, sharing photographs or written observations, and engaging in the reflective process through photography, writing and discussions. Your contributions will be anonymised unless asked otherwise.
To take part, you will need to provide written consent to participate as a research participant upon booking. Full details of the research, including how your contributions may be used, will be provided in advance, and you are welcome to ask questions at any time. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any stage if you choose.
Spaces are limited, and booking is required. To reserve your place or to find out more - including accessibility information or any queries about participation - please email Rae Turpin at [email protected].