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isoby portals
re-discovering that every moment is an opportunity
to be meaningful
insideout by design


supporting you and your community

with our meaningful isoby portals for reconnecting people to nature and each other



Most communities have inherited a long-standing issue, 
rooted in the housing crisis, originating in the industrial revolution.


A human tragedy, isolation is a symptom of Nature Deficit Disorder
Originating in urban landscapes designed for the masses, 
that breed social malaise and silently undermine our wellbeing. 
By simply making it easier to stay inside. 
And most days, most of us spend about 93% of our time inside, undermining our mental health.
Scottish place making standards are starting to empower positive change here. 
But all existing urban environments are left to contend with these erosive problems.
Fortunately, the government is currently encouraging active travel, 
with most councils temporarily reallocating road space to walking and cycling. 
Our movable, flexible Portals with their cycling maintenance and parking support are ideal 
for both temporary pedestrianisation of arterial roads and cross-country cycle routes.  
Mental, emotional, physical and environmental wellbeing is the foundation of sustainability and Insideout by design supports community wellbeing. 
Portals are catalysts for wellbeing; epicentres for de-stressing, totally customisable to your community personality, aims and environment. 
Insideout by design is making it easier to reconnect with nature and each other. 
By engaging with wasted space surrounding existing buildings. 
Places people pass through the most yet benefit from the least. 
Our community portals are de-stressing epicentres; 
customised to each community personality, aim and environment. 
Making it easier to be outside; 
working or working out, relaxing or catching up with folk.

Composed of kits that fit together creating functional spaces, 
with sheltered seating, working surfaces, 
adjustable parts for seasonal weather; 
and Add-ons to enable activities like vertical gardening or bike maintenance. 
even in limited space 
portals can empower meaningful connections and wonderful effects 
 at your doorway, your way, every day.

On average children 

spend 7 hours a day on screen and 7 minutes in outside play


Just 10 minutes a day sitting outside generates a significant drop in stress levels

Doctors in America are now prescribing time outside for improving health

Research in Australia has shown that a lack of time spent outside has a huge toll on economies

“We believe everybody has space to grow at Earth & Worms, a community garden located in Tillydrone, Aberdeen. We focus on growing food and providing a space to share skills.…” John Sergison

Earth & Worms aims to contribute towards solutions against climate change.

 

We do this on a local scale, while working to alleviate social problems concerning isolation, loneliness, and the adverse mental health we see affecting our immediate and surrounding community. Both goals can be reached through our two main activities.

1. We use worms to turn local food and green waste into by-products which support the growth of fresh produce to be distributed locally - this helps us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Our produce is grown with the help of our community - keeping active, eating healthy and having a safe space to socialise aids in combating negative mental health.

We are certain Earth & Worms provides something for everyone. With a variety of tasks in the space; from picking leaves and flowers for tea, to taking on an aspect of the project. Come join in conversations around what we do, how we feel, and what is important in our lives.

“Tackling climate change is the defining issue of our time and it is crucial that we all take action to prevent the acceleration of a global crisis.…" Scottish Government - Performance and Strategic outcomes Directorate, July 2020

Raising awareness of local and global environmental issues through a range of environmental activities.


Including organic food growing, the management and improvement of green spaces, walking and cycling programmes.

Many of these groups engage with children through schools and community groups to help them develop their own ideas to improve their local environment.

Finding ways to improve habitats for wildlife, conserve the natural environment for the benefit all those involved.

Every day we make choices in our lives that affect the environment, the climate and other species.  There’s a lot we can do to reduce our environmental footprint to leave more room for wild animals and plants.

"I suspect when we re-emerge later in the year, your portal will be even more valuable to help people reconnect with nature and their communities…” Development Officer - Cycling UK

"In the current challenging circumstances we find ourselves in, it is now more crucial than ever to highlight the ground-breaking work of Insideout by design. ITN will create a film that explores via a visual narrative just how important their strategies will be as we navigate the path out of lock-down into the new normal.…” Programme planner - ITN

 find out about our meaningful isoby portals
or find out more about our cvc advisory service 
(community viability conceptualisation) 
or other communities featured here

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