The Hive
By Corra Foundation & Love and Harmony CIC
This story is part of a series of community stories from organisations receiving funding from the Boost fund in partnership with STV Children’s Appeal. This story is written by Corra’s Community Grants team alongside Love and Harmony CIC and explores how people across Scotland are working together to support their communities.
In the centre of Kirkcaldy you’ll find The Hive, a safe and inclusive LGBT+ community centre run by Love and Harmony CIC. The Hive was originally set up in September 2022 by Pink Saltire. That charity has now wound up, but Love and Harmony established itself earlier this year to ensure that The Hive would continue.
We dropped by to say hello in September and met with Lindsey and Jenna, two of Love and Harmony’s directors. They showed us around and filled us in on the wealth of exciting happenings already on offer at The Hive and their big plans for the future.
The Hive is well used by the community as a warm space. The ground floor has a café, comfortable seating and gaming areas, public access computers, the community pantry and a children’s clothing bank. There are private areas that facilitate peer support sessions and regular LGBT+ health screenings. We learned about the Fife AIDS quilt on display which dates to the 1980s. Therapy sessions with a certified counsellor are also available to individuals or families in need of support through their LGBT+ journey. Upstairs is a play area where a mother and toddler group meet each week, and what Lindsey and Jenna plan to transform into a wee music venue.
When we asked for a photo, Lindsey and Jenna knew this should be under the “Welcome Home” sign, since giving a home to Kirkcaldy’s LGBT+ community is what The Hive is all about.
