Welcome to The Given Garden! My name is Unnur and this is my little company, but I wouldn't be able to do it without the help and support of my gorgeous wife, Emily! As a queer couple we want to make it clear as glass after the window cleaner has be...
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This Space Was Created for You
If you’ve ever felt exhausted by a world that puts a price tag on peace, demands non-stop productivity, or leaves you feeling like you don’t quite fit the mold, you are in the right place.
Whether you are a parent looking for gentle activities, a teacher needing accessible resources, someone resting in bed through a flare-up, or a kindred spirit seeking a quiet moment of calm, this garden was planted for you. You don’t need to prove your worth here, and you don’t need your wallet to belong.
Hello, I'm Unnur!
I am the creator, disabled artist, and human hands behind The Given Garden. I live in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with my wife, Emily, and our two wonderful children.
With a background holding a BA in social work as well as an art degree, my life and work have always been guided by a belief in advocacy, human dignity, mutual aid, and the healing power or creativity.
I am a bilingual creator, a lover of storytelling, and someone who navigates chronic illness daily. The Given Garden is where my passion for community care, disability justice, and creative healing come together.
Rooted in Justice, Care & Solidarity
Art is never neutral, and care is deeply political. The Given Garden is built explicitly as an anti-oppressive, inclusive sanctuary.
My background in social work taught me that true community building means standing up for one another and actively dismantling the barriers that keep people isolated or hurting.
When we share resources and lift each other up, we quietly push back against systems of harm. Supporting charities, community efforts, and sharing art freely isn't just a nice side effect of this business, it is the core reason it exists!
This Space Explicitly Supports:
Disability Justice & Neurodiversity: Crafting resources that respect low-energy days, sensory needs, and diverse ways of processing the world.
Queer & Trans Liberation: Fully affirming the LGBTQ+ community and upholding women’s rights, explicitly including trans women.
Racial & Global Equity: Standing firmly against racism, uplifting people of colour, and advocating for human rights worldwid, including standing in active solidarity for Palestine.
Finding Light From Bed
The Given Garden wasn't born in a fancy, fully fitted studio. It was created right out of bed during times when my body simply refused to cooperate.
During chronic illness flare-ups and intense administrative hurdles, drawing and colouring became my ultimate lifeline.
Creating paper doll sets, cozy activity sheets, and quiet illustrations wasn't just a business idea; it was a deeply therapeutic practice that helped me cope, heal, and hold onto joy when everything else felt overwhelming.
I realised that if creating these printable tools brought me peace in my darkest hours, sharing them might offer that same comfort to someone else navigating their own struggle.
Why Everything is 100% Free
We live in a capitalist culture that demands payment for almost everything, especially tools meant for mental wellness, rest, and creative play. But I refuse to lock basic tools of joy and comfort behind a paywall.
For a long time, I tried running this business the standard way: with strict deadlines, high-pressure monthly memberships, and paywalls. But forcing creative healing into a rigid corporate mold only made me sicker and added anxiety to the very thing that brought me peace.
So, I decided to do things differently.
Every digital printable in this library is 100% free to download. No hidden costs, no mandatory subscriptions, no strings attached. Take what you need, whenever you need it.
A Garden of Rest & Seasons
Just like a real garden, this space moves in natural seasons. There are times of vibrant blooming when I am feeling well enough to draw new collections, host pop-up physical drops, or collaborate on new projects. And there are quiet seasons of rest when my health requires me to slow down and retreat.
Because our digital resources are free, there are no stressful deadlines, unmet obligations, or artificial demands. Just a peaceful, growing library that sits waiting for whenever you need a moment of light and colour.
How The Garden Keeps Growing
To keep this space sustainable without relying on individual sales, The Given Garden operates on a pay-it-forward model:
- The Gardeners Club & Tip Jar: For community members who have the financial capacity, we offer a voluntary monthly supporters club—The Gardeners Club—and a one-time Tip Jar. Every single contribution goes directly toward paying our website hosts and keeping the doors open for everyone else.
- Mission-Aligned Business Partnerships: We work with organisations, local businesses, and charities that share our values, designing pre-made and custom branded activity bundles for workplace wellness and community events.
Any surplus income beyond our modest family needs is passed right back out into the world, donated to good causes; grassroots mutual aid, and community projects that align with our vision of justice and care.
Thank you for wandering in.
Pull up a chair, rest your feet, and pick whatever brings you peace.
Hugs,
Unnur
Some of My Favourite Free Bundles
Blog Posts
Welcome cozy hobby lovers, one and all! If you are someone who appreciates a welcoming community and enjoys a good deal you are definitely in the right place. I want to invite you to read on and see what makes The Given Garden such a special place. ...
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