The Belfast Girl Gang is a friendly, welcoming group to make connections, meet new people, and form friendships.
Joining in 2020 during the height of the pandemic I was feeling lonely and looking for a place where I could interact with others who shared similar interests.
From weekly movie nights on teleparty to quiz nights, it was something to look forward to in such a frightening time.
As the group grew, so did its need for volunteers so when the opportunity presented itself in 2021 to apply, I jumped at the chance, and now 4 years on I’m a moderator of the Facebook group along with an amazing, supportive team.
Courtney is the co-founder of the Belfast Girl Gang and events host of The Belfast Girl Gang Book Club and I’m so excited to be able to ask her some questions about the promising rise in book clubs and the positive impact a sense of community can have.
1 – Can you tell us a bit about yourself, when you founded the Belfast Girl Gang, and how you were inspired to create it?
I’m Courtney, I live in Belfast and always had a passion for helping people plus I would say I’m a super social person so enjoy meeting new people and having the craic. My friend Niamh Oddy and I decided to set up the Belfast Girl Gang during Covid in September 2020 as we were inspired by Lonely Girls London and with increased restrictions again we felt isolated and wanted to have more of a community feel to bring people together. It’s class to see how it’s grown from an idea to something that has led me to meet some of my closest friends, and connected over 5k women and non-binary folks via our Facebook Group.
2 – The BGG is a welcome environment for women, non-binary, and LGBTQI+. How important to you was it to create a space for everyone to feel welcome?
I would say that I identify as an intersectional feminist. So inclusivity is something that is so important to me as a value and practice. I’ve had a lot of friends who have been excluded or isolated as a result of their sexuality or gender identity and I wanted to make sure the BGG was a space that welcomed everyone. I really hope we’ve achieved that and it’s fantastic that we have queer admins on our team who really help champion the importance of inclusion.
3 – What made you start the book club? Did you find there was a demand amongst members for it?
One of our former admins Ella originally set up the book club due to there being a massive demand for it. I came on board to help as it very quickly became that a lot of folks were interested. I think a lot of people were in the boat which they read a lot as young people and then due to the likes of uni they had lost their love of reading for fun (me included), so it was a great way to reconnect with your love of reading for enjoyment.
4 – The Belfast Girl Gang book club is unique, you choose monthly themes and there’s no pressure to have finished a specific book when meeting. Why did you decide to implement this idea to the club?
When we originally set up book club we tried the traditional pick a book and everyone reads it and then come together to discuss and it just wasn’t working as people are busy so there was pressure to finish it or you got stuck reading something you weren’t enjoying. So I thought what if we picked themes and that gave people the freedom to choose what they want to read – since we moved to this model the book club has become insanely popular with 20+ people coming along each month to chat about what they read. In terms of the no pressure to finish reading I think it’s to reflect that our main goal is to bring folks together to create a community and opportunity for friendships. And it is in recognition that you might not have the time to finish a book that month, or you could be in a reading slump but still love chatting about books. I just want it to be something people enjoy coming to and don’t feel any pressure – especially given I am the absolute worst at not being able to finish my books on time.
5 – What’s a typical book club day like?
So a typical book club day, so a lot of my regulars will be early and I’ll rush into Caffè Nero normally in a flap (obviously stopping for a hot chocolate with cream and caramel) and get there by the skin of my teeth to see my early birds sitting at our usual table. I’ll pop the BGG sign on the table and at this point we encourage folks as they come and join us to get comfortable and go help themselves to food or drinks. When we’re sure we’re no longer waiting on anyone else to join we’ll begin by taking it in turns to talk about what we’ve read. What’s really nice is people will ask each other questions or my favourite thing is seeing everyone take note of a book someone has talked about that they want to read. Another thing I love is the discussion and getting to know what sort of things people love to read. We have a running joke that if Sharmaine loves a book then Sinead will hate it and vice versa as they can never seem to agree. After everyone has talked through what they’ve read, we’ll take a photo for socials and then everyone just gets some time to chat together and break out into conversations. Sometimes I get nervous before a book club starts as I really want everyone to have a good time but I always leave with such a warm feeling, I’m so grateful to the friends I’ve made through book club like it feels like I’ve just found the loveliest bunch of people.
6 – Another bookish event you started has grown in popularity worldwide, the quiet book club. How is this different to the regular book club?
So really quiet book club was suggested by one of our members in our book club Facebook chat. I thought it was a neat idea and I love the space in 2 Royal Avenue like it has such a class community feel. I try to host it as regularly as I can as I know it’s one that people enjoy as it gives you the space to sit down and read a book but it’s nice to have a bit of company while you do that. Plus I think it’s a good event if you’re nervous about attending a BGG event as there’s less pressure to talk because it is focused on reading – I would say that for anyone who does feel that way everyone is in the same boat and everyone is there to meet new people. I think my favourite time that we hosted quiet book club was last summer when we sat outside in the sun and read together like it was just such a lovely experience.
7 – Are there any encouraging words you could share with members nervous about attending?
I would say that everyone who attends is in the same boat, it’s hard to make friends in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond which is why we created this group and why we host admin events to create opportunities for people to meet up and hopefully make new friends. In terms of book club, they really are the loveliest people and I’m so proud to say it’s worked for me in the sense I’ve met some class people and some of my closest friends. It’s normal to feel nervous but you’re so welcome and even if you don’t stay the whole time or are quieter throughout you should be so proud of yourself for taking that step out of your comfort zone.
8 – Do you have any exciting 2024 plans for the groups?
All of our themes for 2024 have been picked by our members who attend book club which is amazing. We will have our summer and Christmas book swaps again which is always a hoot – honestly watching everyone crowd round the table in a bid to get the book they want is so funny and always makes me laugh. We currently have our regular book club and our quiet book club but we have plans for a third which will be more of a cocktail vibe so deffo keep an eye out for that.
PERSONAL:
Currently reading: It’s a reread but The girl who feel beneath the sea by Axie Oh
Favourite genre: fantasy honestly just love the escapism of it. And my favourite author is Elizabeth Lim her book Six Crimson Cranes is what made me fall back in love with reading and I’d just love to thank her for the incredible world she has created.
2023 book club highlight: that’s a tough one as there has been so many class moments. From the very first one in January in Caffè Nero where some of the girls came for the first time and have been to everyone since, to seeing how people change from being so quiet the first time they come along to being such an integral part of book club and so welcoming of others as they join. It’s so hard to choose, honestly, it’s an incredible club and I’m just so proud of it and to see it grow and grow.
For more information on the Belfast Girl Gang, check out the website: https://www.belfastgirlgang.co.uk/ or follow on Instagram and TikTok @belfastgirlgang.
Are you part of a book club or have you been inspired to join or start one?
