Belfast woman's 'wee swap' event to reuse kids clothes and toys
A Belfast woman is hosting a swap event to help families get affordable clothing and toys for their kids, while educating the little ones about sustainability and reusing.
Meg Magill was inspired to get the 'Wee Swap' event together due to her love of shopping second-hand and swap events, and seeing a lack of such events for children.
Seeing how quickly kids grow out of clothes, and how expensive children's clothing and toys can be, she was motivated to organise the event to promote sustainability while helping families out during the rising cost of living.
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Speaking to Belfast Live about the event, which will be held at Banana Block in East Belfast on October 13, Meg said: "I was part of Ulster University's 25@25 programme and they asked us to dream up an idea we think would be good. It was during a sustainability session, and I absolutely love all things second-hand, but I hadn't seen anything like swap events for children.
"I don't have kids, but all my friends are having children and I just see the amount of waste because they grow out of things so quickly, and how expensive it is.
"I'm all about sustainability and saving the planet, that's why I personally buy second hand clothes. You read all those awful stats about like 300,000 tonnes of clothes being in landfill every year in the UK, it's mad.
"Where I live in East Belfast, there's a massive wealth gap. It's not even from a financial sustainability point of view, it's just expensive to raise a family now. Swap events are becoming more popular, but they're not a new thing.
"If you look at our grandparents' generation, swaps are just a modern take on hand-me-downs. I just think if we can normalise for children the concept of reuse and repair, that's what I want to instill in children from different backgrounds."
As for how the swap event itself works, those who donate items of clothing in advance will receive "first dibs" access on the day from 12pm to 1.30pm. If people are unable to donate items, Meg is encouraging people to come along and get involved, as she's keen that anyone who is in need is able to get the items they're after.
It will also be a fun day out for the kids to enjoy, too. Angeline Murphy, from the BBC show Great British Sewing Bee, will be hosting a "drop in and stitch" upcycling event for kids, to show them how to give old items a new life.
Artist Ro Owens will also be hosting an arts and crafts session, creating a collaborative mural of Belfast and Halloween-themed bunting using recycled materials. There will also be face painting available for the little ones from Just Peachy Parties NI.
In advance of the event, a series of donation drives are taking place, as you can't come along on the day and bring clothes to give in the swap. Donation days will take place on September 22, September 29, and October 5 from 1pm to 4pm at the old House Proud unit beside Lidl at Connswater Retail Park.
Accepted items include children's clothes, equipment, and toys, up to age 13. Those who donate in advance will receive five swap tokens to use on the day.
Meg added: "We want parents to actually bring the children with them, and get them involved in the full process of chosing their items from the swap, and seeing how fun it is to engage with sustainability.
"It's all about normalising hand me down clothes and swaps, so your child can proudly show off their swapped items and feel really good about what they're doing. I also feel like it would alleviate the pressure off the parents too, which is a win win in my book."
Meg has received support from Belfast24's Bank of Ideas, EastSide Greenways, East Belfast Mission, and Banana Block to make the event a reality.
'The Wee Swap' event will take place at Banana Block in East Belfast on October 13 from 12pm to 4pm. You can find more details by clicking here.
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