North Belfast Joins City-Wide Effort: Fix It, Don't Ditch It for Repair Week!

Get ready to roll up your sleeves, North Belfast! Belfast Repair Week is set to inspire and empower our community from March 2nd to 8th. This fantastic initiative is all about helping you save money and play your part for the planet by learning to 'fix it, don’t ditch it!'

Throughout the week, a vibrant programme of free and low-cost events will be taking place across the city, designed to equip you with practical skills and shine a light on brilliant local repair services. From getting your bike back in gear and mending household tech to giving furniture a new lease of life or altering clothes, there’s a workshop for everyone. It's a simple, effective way to cut down on waste and stretch your budget, especially with the current cost of living challenges.

Many community groups and organisations are getting involved, including our very own Belfast Tool Library on the Shankill Road, who are partnering with the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) for a special "Women are fixing it for themselves" workshop, celebrating International Women's Day.

Other highlights across Belfast include:

• Bike Repair Sessions: Drop-in clinics hosted by East Belfast Mission will be available at several community centres including Highfield, Morton, and Divis, alongside St George’s Market. Perfect for getting your wheels ready for spring!

• Off-Street Stitching: Join Sue Bamford from Tools for Solidarity for a gentle, slow fashion inspired stitching session at 2 Royal Avenue.

• Tech Support: Ignite IT will host a ‘FixIT’ session in the city centre (2 Royal Avenue) to help residents get small gadgets back in working order.

• Pop-up Repair Cafés: Look out for a collaborative pop-up event at Queen’s University Students’ Union the following week.

George Gillespie, Community Network Manager at Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN), shared his enthusiasm: "We are absolutely delighted to support waste reduction initiatives. It’s a pleasure to work alongside a team so committed to promoting the circular economy and making a sustainable future a growing reality for our community."

Even CastleCourt Shopping Centre will be highlighting repair businesses within its walls. This is a brilliant opportunity to connect with experts, pick up new skills, and make a real difference, one repair at a time.

For the full list of events, locations, and booking information, make sure to check out the programme online and find something that sparks your interest!