Events
Our event programme is led by our members.
To have a say in the kinds of things we organise, please join for free and come along to our members meetings. If you'd like to be more involved in scheduling and organising events, please email us about joining the Programming Subcommittee.
The Management Committee is here to support with coordination and administration of the events programme.
You can also get in touch if you would like to offer to run an event or workshop, as a facilitator, educator or group leader of any kind. We have funding to cover your costs.
All of our events are free or subsidised for our members, and we have funding set aside to help people with travel and accessibility. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make it possible for you to attend.
Some of our events are open to just turn up, and for some we ask for registration in advance so we can plan the space effectively. See events which require registration here.
Schedule
January
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The Print Coop, Kirkcaldy High St
Creative Social: beginner crochet
Join us for an OG pen pals creative social - learn some basic crochet skills or bring your own crafts, chat or sit quietly in the corner, drinks and snacks provided. Access info: 299 High Street, Kirkcaldy, KY11JL. Level access; bathroom with level access, but not an accessible bathroom. -
Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy
VegFest 2 Creative Space
Pen Pals is hosting the Creave Space at the second ever vegan festival in Fife. Join us for any or all of the day. -
Exchange Room, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy
Pen Pals Annual General Meeting
We need you to come to our AGM! Vegan buffet and social 6-7.30pm, AGM starts 7.30pm. There is the option to join the AGM online via Zoom. Agenda will be sent to members by email in advance. -
Peak Physique, Kirkcaldy High St
Self-massage and stretch
A 60-minute stretching and self-massage session with Peak Physique & Bodywork, following by some quiet social time in the space. Folks can join in seated or on the floor, with the activities adapted to fit. Oils, wax and aromatherapy can be provided if wanted. Yoga blocks, straps and mats will be provided if you don't have your own. The movements will be gentle with a focus on breathing patterns and central nervous system regulation, perfect for neurodivergent folks. Access info: There is a 2inch step on entry, the door isn't quite wide enough for a standard wheelchair, and the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. Please book so we know numbers (free).
February
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Exchange Room, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy
Movement and creative wellbeing with Zinzi
Zinzi brings together meditation, kundalini yoga and movement improvisation to encourage our bodies into the day in a simple way. This 2.5 hour collective practise is inspired by living and working at the rural dance place, Ponderosa, where for years Stephanie Maher led a morning practise for visiting dancers and the local community. It has been adapted by Zinzi over the years to accommodate their environments and changing body. They aim to warm our bodies through different practises of being present as well as actual warming movements. They bring the spirit of dancing in nature into the room and encourage not taking things too seriously and giving it a go. There is always the option to opt out and do your own thing. We will mostly stay on or around our mats. Bring what helps you to feel at home in your body and the space; a blanket, a stone, an object that helps warm up your life, a memory that makes you laugh, the spirits of people no longer in this realm. Or just yourself on that day. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one. Please book your place here.
March
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Edinburgh tbc
Queer foraging walk
A gentle foraging walk with Grassroots Remedies. More information to follow.
Past events
If you've attended one of our events, please fill in our feedback form.
December
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Leith, Edinburgh (departure from KDY train station)
Pen Pals goes to market: Leith
Take the train to Edinburgh, then the tram, for a few hours of browsing, eating treats, and freezing at Leith Market. Departure time from Kirkcaldy train station tbc, then you will be led the rest of the way. Stay as long or as little as you like. Travel costs reimbursed for members. -
Bowhouse, St Monan's (departure from KDY bus station)
Pen Pals goes to market: Bowhouse
Take the bus to the East Neuk for a few hours of browsing, buying gifts and eating treats at Bowhouse Market. Departure time from Kirkcaldy bus station tbc, then you will be led the rest of the way. Stay as long or as little as you like. Travel costs reimbursed for members. -
Kitchen Treasury, 34 Hunter St, Kirkcaldy
Festive Lunch
Several courses of festive treats, with a custom menu just for us by Sam at the Kitchen Treasury. Dietary requirements catered for, please let us know when booking. This event is for Pen Pals members only; please RSVP with a refundable £10 deposit to book your place by the 10th of December. -
The Print Coop, Kirkcaldy High St
Creative Social
Join us for an OG pen pals creative social - bring your own crafts, chat or sit quietly in the corner, drinks and snacks provided. Access info: 299 High Street, Kirkcaldy, KY11JL. Level access; bathroom with level access, but not an accessible bathroom.
November
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online
DIY Wellbeing
6—7pm. Gentle company and quiet play. Find the Zoom link in your emails. -
The Print Coop, Kirkcaldy
Printmaking Social 2.0
Join us for an OG pen pals creative social - play around with some printmaking in a low pressure space, chat or sit quietly in the corner, drinks and snacks provided. Access info: 299 High Street, Kirkcaldy, KY11JL. Level access; bathroom with level access, but not an accessible bathroom. -
Exchange Room, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy
Herbal Wellbeing
Come along and make some herbal Christmas/winter pressies for yourself and your friends. Catering for the coughs and colds of the season and other related cosy winter needs. More details about specific remedies what to bring nearer the time. Please alert us of any allergies and other needs. Please RSVP to let us know you're coming, but if you decide to drop in on the day that's fine too.
October
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online
DIY Wellbeing
Gentle company and quiet play. Find the Zoom link in your emails. -
Greener Kirkcaldy Events Space (8, East Fergus Place)
Anti-racism workshop with Ellie Muniandy
This course is a chance for you to reflect on your relationship to the subject of race and how it has shaped your life. It will look at the impact race and racism have on people of colour and helps participants to consider their role in moving towards an anti-racist society.
Ellie Muniandy is a leading Scottish anti-oppression queer POC therapist, trainer and facilitator.
Please register here. -
Exchange Room, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy
Neurodivergent play session with Max Alexander
A chance for participants to tune into and explore their playful instincts and create a play space together. The session will be guided by Max who use play materials, silliness and grounding ritual to hold the space. You will be encouraged to participate in whatever way feels enjoyable and accessible for you.
Max is an artist and playworker who specialises in creating spaces for meaningful, connective and creative play. You can find out more about Max and his work at playradical.com
Please register here.
September
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online
DIY Wellbeing: coping with winter
Gentle company and quiet play. Find the Zoom link in your emails. -
Peak Physique, Kirkcaldy
Curious Chronicles: The Selkie's Wife by Essa Flett
Join Elisabeth Flett as she gives the audience a decidedly sapphic retelling of the Selkie tale - that is, she'll try to, if her own story would only stop getting in the way. Free tickets for Pen Pals members - check your emails for the promo code, or contact us, and book your ticket here. -
Greener Kirkcaldy Events Space (8, East Fergus Place)
National Suicide Prevention Awareness: workshop and meal
Following on from Suicide Prevention Awareness week 2024, join us for a workshop with Dr Hazel Marzetti, a suicide researcher at University of Edinburgh, working on LGBTQ+ suicide, suicide prevention and suicide bereavement. We'll be talking about suicide, and creatively responding to the topic through a hands-on activity. After a short break we'll come together for a vegetarian/vegan community meal to offer a space to connect and decompress after the workshop. You're welcome to join just for the meal if you'd prefer.
Please register for this event.
We will be talking about suicide. We appreciate that this is a topic that has touched many of our lives in different ways, and we will be working to create a space where we can care for each other and hold some of this. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. -
online
Members Meeting
time tbc. Discuss our events schedule. Check your emails for the Zoom link.
August
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online
DIY Wellbeing
6—7pm. Gentle company and quiet play. Find the Zoom link in your emails. -
Lochore Meadows
Gentle walk with Vidya
From 12:30pm. A gentle walk at Lochore Meadows, led by Vidya. The route is 3.1miles, mostly flat, with a few shallow inclines. There are toilet facilities available at Meedies Cafe. Meet at Kirkcaldy Train station at 12:30pm to share taxis, or meet at Meedies Cafe, Lochore at 1pm for the start of the walk. -
The Exchange, Adam Smith Theatre (Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy)
Exploring Queer oral histories with Our Story Scotland
1—5pm. Enjoy an introduction to the Our Story Scotland archive, understand why we do what we do and participate in a group oral history interview - to learn how to do LGBTQ+ oral history interviews, make a donation to our archive and make a recording for future queer generations.
There will be regular breaks. Ramped access from the main entrance to the foyer, and lift to The Exchange room. Accessible adapted toilet facilities on ground level and first floor. Changing places facility located on ground level. Guide dogs are welcome.
This free workshop is for Pen Pals members. Please register to attend. -
Arbroath
Marine Mammal Medic training
We will fund places on this course for our members. Express interest by 29th July by emailing amy@rhiaro.co.uk and we will arrange booking, equipment hire and transport with you. Please read the information and note the course requirements for physical fitness and equipment.
July
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Education Room, Merchant's House, Kirkcaldy
Printmaking Social
1—3pm. Join us for a relaxed printmaking social - no previous skills or experience neccessary. We'll be playing around with Lego to make relief prints. All materials provided.
June
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online
Members Meeting
7—7:30pm. Check your emails for the Zoom link. -
Merchant's Quarter, Kirkcaldy
Potluck picnic
1—3pm. Merchant's House Education Room (access via the garden of the Merchant's House cafe). Bring some vegetarian food to share (please label allergens). -
Kirkcaldy
Allotment Party
11am—3pm. Glamis Road Allotments. Come along and help build a little queer vegetable allotment in Kirkcaldy. -
online
DIY Wellbeing
6—7pm. Gentle company and quiet play. Find the Zoom link in your emails. -
Kirkcaldy
Fife Pride
Join the parade. Find us in the Quiet Space at Peak Physique on the High St.
May
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online
Zoom Social
This is a chance for us to check in, get to know each other and brainstorm ideas for our summer programming.
April
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Greener Kirkcaldy
Welcome to Pen Pals!
8, East Fergus Place. Our first official event. Hang out, meet each other, start planning. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Tea/coffee/biscuits.