The North West Builds: ​Patch are coming to the North West in collaboration with Hightop and The Amp!

Something BIG is happening in the North West. Hightop’s bringing Patch to the city and region! 

What’s The Plan?

On Saturday 28th March, 35 young people from across Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and the wider region will come together at The AMP Growth Incubator in Derry~Londonderry for something we haven’t seen here before.

Why This Matters

At Hightop, we believe that young people in the North West do not lack talent, ambition or ideas. What they often lack is visible opportunity and removal of barriers to access and engage in things that make a difference. 

Too often, young people think that if you want to innovate, build products, or shape the future, you have to leave our city and region.

What’s Available?

We’re running the Build Day in the AMP, one of the coolest spots in the city, providing laptops for those who need them on the day and we’re including lunch. 

What Is the Build Day?

Build Something Great: North West Edition is a one-day AI-powered sprint for young people aged 16–21. 

35 participants from across the region will:

• Identify real problems from everyday life

• Form teams around ideas they care about

• Learn how to test whether a problem is worth solving

• Use AI tools to rapidly prototype digital solutions

• Pitch their work at the end of the day

Why Patch?

Patch works with ambitious young builders across the island of Ireland and beyond, backing ideas with mentoring, support and momentum. They run Summer Programmes and have a grant scheme for young people.

Who Is This For?

This event is open to young people aged 16–21 from across Derry, Donegal, Tyrone:

We welcome young people who are:

• In school

• In further education

• In training

• Working

• Between pathways

• Technical

• Creative

• Unsure what’s next

• Or simply curious

No experience required.

No coding background necessary.

Just curiosity and a willingness to try.

Why Schools, Colleges & Youth Organisations Should Share This

When a young person builds something in a day, something that works, something they can demo, it shifts how they see themselves.

That confidence carries forward into university, apprenticeships, employment, everyday life.

We want 35 young people in the room. But we want hundreds more watching what’s possible.

The Practical Details

📍 Location: Building 80/81, The AMP, (Opposite Ebrington Bakery/ behind Ebrington Hotel)

🗓 Date: Saturday 28th March

⏰ Time: 10.00am – 6.00pm

👥 Capacity: 35 young people

​Who should come: Anyone 16-21 in the North West who wants to make something. 

What to bring: Bring your laptop and charger (if you don’t have one, we will provide one).

How to Register

We’ve only 35 places so register now by clicking here. It’s first come first served. 

​Free food, great people, great prizes and a chance to see what you can build in just one day.