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Handbags packed during a one-day appeal in Belfast this Monday will be donated to Women's Aid Armagh Down as well as Belfast & Lisburn Women's Aid, providing direct support to women affected by domestic abuse in the local area. Hopefull Handbags Northern Ireland and Hopefull Handbags Ireland are aiming to clean and fill 200 handbags and backpacks in just six hours on Monday 17 August.
The appeal comes as the Police Service of Northern Ireland recorded 31,558 domestic abuse incidents in the year ending March 2026, an increase of 6.1 percent on the previous year. The free event will take place at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, from 11am to 5pm, with volunteers needed to clean donated bags, sort supplies, collect donations and prepare them for delivery.
To ensure volunteers have jobs on the day, the charities are seeking 200 notebooks, toothbrushes, hairbrushes and makeup or skincare samples, alongside small treats and toys for the bags. Aislíng Owens Nash, Executive Global Director at Hopefull Handbags Northern Ireland, said: "Most of us do not think twice about packing a bag for a holiday, but for a woman leaving an abusive home, that bag may contain everything she has been able to take with her. The items we provide may seem simple, but a toothbrush, hairbrush, notebook and small treat offer practical support, dignity and a powerful reminder that somebody cares." Owens Nash added: "We have just six hours to set up, clean and fill 200 bags, and we need Belfast behind us. People can give an hour, stay for the afternoon, donate supplies or involve their business. Everyone who takes part will leave knowing that the bag they helped prepare will be handed to a woman who needs it that same day."
Short talks about the charity's work will take place hourly from 11.30am until 4.30pm, with 20 minute networking sessions for local business owners at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Women led businesses can exhibit their products and services in return for a £100 donation to the charity, with all funds used to purchase supplies for the drive, while other businesses can support the event by sponsoring tea, coffee and water or by providing products and services in kind.
To volunteer, exhibit, sponsor or donate supplies, contact Aislíng Owens Nash at aisling@therightroom.ie or phone 00353 86 0686054.
Hopefull Handbags Northern Ireland is a registered Northern Ireland charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse and their children, collecting once loved handbags, filling them with practical necessities and items of care, and distributing them through partner organisations. Anyone affected by domestic or sexual abuse in Northern Ireland can contact the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414.
