Ulster University proudly supported Northern Ireland's first ever Repair Week in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN). Through our “Fix The Future” engaging sessions, we aimed to move beyond conversation, delivering tangible skills for life and fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability for our staff and students.
The event featured a range of interactive activities. "Repair & Learn" workshops provided opportunities for staff and students to learn basic clothing repair techniques, a practical skill for extending the life of garments. The "Swap Shop" offered a simple way to refresh wardrobes through exchange, promoting reuse over new purchases.
We were also honoured to host Sue Bamford from Tools for Solidarity, who delivered a talk highlighting the importance of repair in today's society and the challenges posed by overproduction. Her insights provided valuable context for the day’s activities.
During the course of the day, staff and students also got the opportunity to continue work on our "Big Linen Tapestry Project," collaboration piece with KNIB, as part of the Fashion Forever campaign. This project allowed participants to enhance their sewing and embroidery skills, engage with traditional crafts and consider the environmental impact of fashion.
Northern Ireland's role as the first region in the UK to host Repair Week was a significant step in raising awareness of the benefits of repair. The campaign is led by the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) through the Carrier Bag Levy and focuses on promoting a culture of repair and reuse, encouraging people to keep items in use for longer.
The campaign's goal was to equip individuals and communities with practical repair skills while supporting sustainability and local businesses. We were glad to be a part of this effort, contributing to a broader understanding of responsible consumption and the value of repair.
To find out more about Repair Week or to get involved in other initiatives near you, visit the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) for details.
