VOLUNTEER PROJECT
L-R: Ian Dornan, EEL Greentech, Jake Keyworth, Edmundson Electrical NI, Alan Hughes, The Electrical Equipment Company, Darren Ballentine, J&T Ballentine, Ed Denny, Aurora Lighting and Gawain Morrison, Brink!
A DERELICT CITY CENTRE SPACE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCE WITH THE HELP OF A VOLUNTEER CONSORTIUM LED BY THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY… Belfast’s electrical sector supports community initiative
Products donated by Belfast’s electrical sector have played an integral role in the reimagining of a derelict city centre site as a sustainable cultural hub. The Electrical Equipment Company coordinated a volunteer effort to power and light the off-the-grid space, with Aurora Lighting, Bailite, J&T Ballentine, Scolmore Group and Unitrunk also supporting the initiative. The site, on the corner of Union Street and Kent Street, has been cleared to make way for the £100m Belfast Stories tourist attraction. Before construction of the Belfast Stories project commences in 2026, the space has been rejuvenated by Brink! with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Brink! is a platform for discussion, education and action centred on the issues of climate breakdown, led by Gawain Morrison and Paul Kelly. Formerly a wasteland, the space is now largely greenspace featuring different horticultural zones for growing native food, plants with medicinal qualities and trees. Containers house offices and workshop facilities, while outdoor spaces facilitate a wide range of cultural gatherings from cooking around an open fire to art exhibitions, gigs, DJ sets and open-air cinema screenings. Open since June, Brink! has already welcomed thousands of people to events including climate conferences, community barbecues and gatherings for asylum seekers and refugees. “Brink! has turned a neglected Belfast
city centre site into a thriving space for growing food, creating art, connecting people and showing what’s possible in our city,” said Gawain. “An oasis in the heart of Belfast city centre, you can enjoy it as a green space and a cultural space and participate in events and workshops. “Brink! Weekend events take place at each of the solstices and equinoxes throughout the year, and various music, food and arts events are hosted with partners from across the city throughout the year. “This is a year-long programme of looking at our heritage and our food and plant past, in the context of today and climate change, and what we have to think about moving forward. “There are no green spaces in the city centre other than City Hall, and everything is pay to play. We wanted to
60 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
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