Feeling safe and working together at Community Apothecary

We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable here at Community Apothecary. Here are some suggestions for how we can make that happen.

Everyone has a right to be heard and an equal responsibility to listen so that others can be heard too.

Even if you feel very strongly about a topic, avoid dominating discussions and make space for the opinions of others.

Please consider how much you may be talking in relation to others, and give quieter people the opportunity to contribute their thoughts.

Many of us have privileges. These are the things that give us an easier time than others, for example, having access to land on which to grow herbal medicine. In the context of Community Apothecary where we have been given access to land, there may be barriers to taking part in our activities or accessing the medicines we make, for example there are those who may not feel comfortable or safe to join us, have the time or the financial means to take part. Let’s try to be aware of our privileges and be sensitive to how these can impact each other's lives.

We all have different identities, whether that’s our age, race, size, class, citizenship status, ethnicity, ethnic heritage, religious beliefs, dis/abilities, neurodivergence, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. Let’s avoid making generalisations or assumptions about one another.

Any behaviour - physical or verbal - that harms others, or makes existing power imbalances worse, is not welcome. Let’s remember that everyone has an equal right to participate fully in the garden space, and that everyone, no matter their background, is here to learn and contribute in the ways that they are able.

A pronoun is the word you use to talk about another person as he/she/they. Sometimes we just assume how someone wants to be referred to but we might get it wrong.  If we share our pronouns then we can make sure that everyone is referred to in a way that they feel comfortable with.

Let’s respect and look after the buildings, plants, wildlife and infrastructure on the site. This involves us all being considerate of our use of the space.

Be aware that anyone here could be a survivor of a particular form of oppression, for example, violence or racism.

If someone is feeling uncomfortable, do not hesitate to raise this, if you think it would be appropriate to do so. 

It’s everyone's responsibility to challenge prejudice & oppression, and if we ignore it we are allowing it to happen.