The University of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and Built Environment volunteer collective, out(fit), is launching its newly built trailer, named DOTTY which is a mobile, creative hub to bring design services to NSW regional communities.
DOTTY, constructed using part of a $123,000.00 grant provided by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, will help take out(fit)’s ethos that everyone should have access to good design to a whole new level.With the ability to travel, regional communities that might otherwise have struggled to access or afford such services now have this opportunity available to them.
out(fit) Project Officer, Shellie Smith said that out(fit)’s role is building capacity, not just for the volunteers, but for the groups that out(fit) works with in the community.
“While out(fit) facilitates the process, we empower community partners to lead the design solutions. “We work hard to provide the vocabulary and skills required to be their own advocates. So, when we’re gone, the partner is still able to confidently navigate communicating with local government or community stakeholders and contractors,” Shellie said.
The trailer’s wheelchair accessible multi-purpose fit-out, which was designed in house by out(fit)’s team, can operate as a storage trailer, office, meeting space, exhibition facility and catering facility. Amongst other uses, it will facilitate mobile project management, community-engaging pop-up events and activations.
out(fit) Project Officer, Sarah Crichton said that the volunteers had been doing a lot of great work locally since 2016 and were excited to work on projects beyond the Newcastle region.
“Some of our volunteers come from the towns we’ll be visiting, so it’s a real sense of accomplishment for them to be able to give back,” Sarah said.
“Working on projects helps to build skill level and confidence in the volunteers. At the end of the day, we end up with engaged graduates that can show photos of actual places and say ‘I built that’ or ‘I helped make that happen,’ which is what out(fit) is all about,” she said.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation provided the $123,000 grant to fund construction of the trailer and enable out(fit) to deliver at least five projects in its first 12 months of operation. out(fit) already has plans to visit Windale, Taree and Grafton.
Charitable Foundation Chair, Phil Neat said that the Charitable Foundation Board approved the project because of the strong alignment with one of its values of supporting volunteers to deliver grass-roots projects to benefit those most in need.
“out(fit) possesses a valuable combination of skills, enthusiasm and passion for assisting people who may be less fortunate. The Charitable Foundation is pleased to support out(fit) to use these skills to give back to regional communities,” Phil said.