Bringing People Together

As part of The Spark project, we organised three core types of community events – Meitheals, Repair Cafés, and Intergenerational Dialogues – each designed to bring people together, strengthen relationships, and build the cooperative culture that underpins all our work.

While each type of event has a different focus, they share common goals: fostering collective action, breaking down barriers between groups, and giving people the chance to actively contribute to shaping our shared future.

Meitheals

Purpose

A Meitheal is an Irish tradition of neighbours coming together to help each other with shared tasks. In The Spark project, Meitheals became our way of inviting the community to help shape and physically build our cooperative spaces. These sessions brought volunteers together to clean, paint, organise, demolish, and redevelop, creating a sense of ownership and pride in the shared space.

How it Works

We called for volunteers in advance, making sure tasks were clearly defined and achievable within the session. Work was carried out collaboratively, with space for informal chats and connection alongside the physical effort.

Our Meitheals

Over the course of the project, we hosted six Meitheals. These events played a key role in getting our cooperative hub up and running on schedule, enabling other Spark activities to begin on time and in a fully functional space.

Tips for Running a Meitheal

Schedule for early evenings (4–7pm proved most effective).
Clearly outline and communicate the tasks in advance.
Keep the session structured, with breaks for tea and informal conversation.

Repair Cafés

Purpose

Repair Cafés are free, volunteer-run events where people bring broken items — from bikes and sewing machines to clothing and electronics — and learn how to repair them with the help of skilled volunteers. These events reduce waste, share practical skills, and build intergenerational connections.

How it Works

A Repair Café combines practical repair work with the atmosphere of a friendly coffee morning. Skilled volunteers help attendees fix their items while explaining the process, empowering them to carry out repairs in future.

Our Repair Cafés

We hosted two Repair Cafés:

14 September 2024 — in partnership with Buzzfest and Phibsborough Climate Club, offering bicycle, clothing, and general repairs.
17 May 2025 — with a focus on bicycle repair, clothing repair, and sewing machine maintenance. Around 35 people attended over two hours.

Tips for Running a Repair Café

Partner with local groups (e.g., Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds) to find volunteer repairers.
Provide refreshments — it’s a café, after all.
Promote widely using posters in high-footfall areas, online community boards, and through local networks.
Ensure your venue is suitable for the types of repairs you’ll offer.
Build in time at the end for clean-up and to thank volunteers.

Intergenerational Dialogues

Purpose

Intergenerational Dialogues are structured community forums where people of all ages come together to share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. They aim to build mutual understanding, address community issues, and encourage cooperation across generations.

How it Works

Each dialogue focuses on a theme chosen by the organisers. Participants are invited to share personal stories, respond to prompts, and explore ideas together. The emphasis is on active listening, respect, and creating a shared vision.

Our Dialogues

During The Spark, we hosted three intergenerational dialogues:

1. Tea, Chats and Murals — reflecting on the past and present to reimagine a cooperative future for Dublin 7, contributing ideas for a mural in the community space.

2. Building Our Cooperative — a conversation on shaping the future of the Bohemian Climate Cooperative.

3. [Third topic to be added here] — [brief description].

Tips for Running an Intergenerational Dialogue

Evenings early in the week (Mondays or Wednesdays) work best.
Choose a topic relevant to local experiences and aspirations.
Create a welcoming environment with refreshments and informal seating.
Use prompts, activities, or visuals to help stimulate discussion.

The Impact

These three types of events have been central to building The Spark’s culture of cooperation. Meitheals gave people a tangible role in creating the shared space. Repair Cafés empowered participants with practical skills and reduced waste. Intergenerational Dialogues deepened relationships across age groups and backgrounds. Together, they have strengthened the network of people ready to work together for climate action and community wealth building.

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