What's on at Make & Mend Festival 2026!
Workshops
Our workshop programme brings you a wide range of crafts to inspire your creativity. The workshops are suitable for all levels of experience – from absolute beginners to the more experienced crafter.
They are a great intro to a craft you may always have wanted to try or an opportunity to brush up on your existing skills.
There is a selection of one and two hour workshops led by wonderful makers who will guide you through the craft process.
We hope you will leave the festival feeling inspired and with an armful of beautiful things that you have made!
Yoga
Relax and unwind at our drop in yoga sessions!
Run by the very wonderful Kerrie Murray Dru Yoga is a beautiful, flowing form of yoga for all abilities and ages. It helps to relax, unwind and stretch out your body. It also revives tired muscles, reduces back pain and combats stress. Yoga gives your body a much-needed rest from all the ‘doing.’ In particular, it gives your mind a chance to stop, relax and find a quiet, still point in your busy world.
Drop in sessions will be at 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm - no experience necessary, just come as you are (no special clothing required) Mats are provided and sessions last around 30mins - no need to book just drop by!
Caring for your wellbeing has to come from within. You need to let go of expectations and embrace the present moment. Yoga gives you the tools to do this!
Make a Mini Zine with
Mim Robson
Get creative with artist Mim Robson and discover the world of zines – handmade mini magazines filled with drawings, stories, ideas and imagination.
Drop in throughout the day to fold, cut, draw and decorate your own unique zine to take home. Whether you want to tell a story, share your favourite things, create a comic or simply experiment with colour and collage, this relaxed activity is a chance to get creative and have fun.
Suitable for all abilities. No experience needed – just bring your imagination!
Drop in between 10am-6pm
Origami Keyrings with Adam Bligh
Want to enjoy a mindful moment of self-care?
Discover the art of origami and transform simple folds into a beautiful handmade key ring in this relaxed drop-in workshop with artist Adam Bligh.
Using colourful papers and traditional folding techniques, you'll learn how to create elegant geometric forms before turning them into a practical keepsake to take home.
Explore how a single sheet of paper can be transformed into something both beautiful and useful through the simple art of folding.
Drop in between 10am-6pm
Beeswax Wraps with Ecologico
Join Ruth from Ecologico and learn how to make your own reusable beeswax food wraps, a simple and sustainable alternative to single-use cling film.
Using natural materials, you'll create practical wraps that can be used again and again to keep food fresh at home. Along the way, discover how small changes can help reduce waste and make everyday living a little more environmentally friendly.
Take home your handmade wraps along with the skills and inspiration to make more in the future.
Drop in anytime from 10am-6pm
Fabric Bead Necklace
With Pimms & Needles
Create a colourful and unique fabric beaded necklace in this relaxed drop-in workshop with Pimms & Needles. Using fabric, beads and simple techniques, you'll design and make your own statement piece to wear home.
All materials are provided, but if you have old beads you'd like to repurpose or a piece of lightweight fabric you'd love to give a new life to, bring it along and incorporate it into your design. A creative and sustainable way to transform forgotten materials into something beautiful and wearable.
Drop in 10am - 6pm
Sound Bath Experience
With Shirley Wells
Nutrition and Wellness Coach Shirley Wells will be holding sound bath sessions for you to close your eyes and take some time out to listen to the vibrations of the crystal singing bowls, for deep relaxation to help with the immune system, sleep, anxiety, and melt away stress.
Join Shirley for blissful and relaxing sound bath experience at 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Experience the ancient mind-body practice which can support your wellbeing by blending slow, flowing movement with meditation and rhythmic breathing. These short intro sessions to Qigong will help slow your mind and body, helping you get the most out of your festival experience.
Join Shirley for Qigong at 11.45, 1.45 and 3.45
Creative Community
With Little Light Stitchery
Drop in to the Creative Community table with Janis and Nicky (from Little Light Stitchery) to work on any kind of project that you fancy. Bring something from home or carry on after a workshop. It can be anything! We are embroiderers, knitters, quilters, makers and menders and can offer conversation, company, space and an opportunity to just ‘be’. Retreat with us for as long or as little as you need.
In this shared community space there will be the possibility to contribute towards a communal project if you wish, with mindful prompts to take away for your future creative endeavours.
Makers Market
The Maker Marketplace will offer a range of thoughtfully curated craft kits and handmade gifts for those looking for something unique. We are passionate about supporting independent businesses and the market will showcase a selection of the brilliant makers in the North East.