Killaloe Swap Shop makes a return
People in East Clare and North Tipperary are being given an opportunity to contribute to practical change and save some money at this Friday’s Killaloe Clothes Swap Shop in the Family Resource Centre.
People can bring up to six items of clean clothing in good condition that they can swap for other clothing. They can also bring cash to buy clothing if they don't want to swap.
The swap shop takes place from 4–7pm on Friday, October 24, and it’s all being put in place by Eco Action Killaloe (EAK), who are part of the Clare Youth Service.
Eco Action Killaloe (EAK) is a climate-focused youth group who meet every Wednesday from 5.30-7pm in the Family Resource Centre. The group was first formed over a year ago and since then has gained over 20 members aged from 14 to 18.
Eden McMahon is a member, and she explains the background. “Climate anxiety can be a big problem for our generation, a lot of young people feel helpless when they hear about the issues faced by our climate today. Worse than that, many young people feel the environment is a lost cause, something too big to tackle.”
Eco Action Killaloe is a space where young people can openly discuss this climate anxiety while striving to make a difference in the community.
Eden added: “We have grown up being told we will have to solve the climate crisis while not being given the power or opportunity to make a difference.”
The group has studied and discussed everything from the advent of AI to the local wildflower population, from Killaloe’s public waste facilities to the circular economy.
They constantly educate themselves on the climate challenges that face Ireland and the wider world today, running programmes and projects based on the interests of the group.
This has included setting up a geocaching trail, running a community swap-shop and making inks and paper using scraps and wildflowers found around Killaloe.
The swap shop idea came from their research into the fast fashion industry. The group aims to keep developing and Eden encourages other young people to join them,
“EAK has been a great place for us young people, it’s great to learn more about the problems facing our climate in a setting other than the classroom or the news.
“For many of us the group has really helped with climate anxiety and been a great gateway into other forms of activism, connecting us to other young people who want to make a difference.
“We’re always looking for new ways to bring nature and climate consciousness into the Killaloe community, so if you ever pass through consider dropping in for a meeting or any of our other events.”
She is also encouraging young and not so young to come to the FRC on Friday to freshen up their wardrobe and save some money whilst caring for the planet.