Top
Fallback image
26•May•2020

Moon Base Projects Update

By The Black Box

We are thrilled to announce that The National Lottery Community Fund and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Coronavirus Community Fund are supporting our Moon Base Projects for and by people with learning disabilities. This funding will enable us to continue to deliver weekly sessions with our Women Carers Group, Creating Connections, Moon Music and more! These projects are a vital form of communication, social and creative engagement for our group members.

Our projects include online sessions with music, visual art workshops, Yoga, storytelling, quizzes and many more imaginative activities that the group suggest. The support will also enable us to bring more of our group members online by providing equipment, which can also be used to stay in touch with family and friends. For group members who are unable to join online sessions we will continue to make regular calls to catch up and check-in, and send out activity packs with lots to do and read at home- so everyone can feel connected and join in the fun. The project will mean we will be able to continue to support freelance artists and facilitators bringing their skills to deliver a diverse range of interactive workshops.

It has been really interesting to see how all of the group members and volunteers have adapted to working online.  I am really proud that we were able to continue to facilitate our Moon Base Projects without a break in delivery.  All of our group members and volunteers have started to really relax during our Zoom sessions and are becoming very creative during the workshops! We are able to provide a safe place for people to express themselves through Art and we are all learning a lot! I can’t wait to see how our projects develop over the next few months!
Seonaid Murray – Outreach Officer

Some examples of sessions include;

Women Carers Project has been a project that has been running in collaboration with the Oh Yeah Centre. The project is for women who are isolated because of their caring responsibilities. Most recently, the group’s, ‘Showcase Extravaganza’ included Charmaine McMeekin, musician DANI and DJ Venus Rollergirl! They premiered the song they have written during the project called ‘Transcendence (Escape to the Light)’ and performed it with dance and movements led by Charmaine. The session ended with a fun Fashion Show where each group member selected a track that meant something to them or represented them, complete with an outfit of choice and DJ set from Venus. Pretty amazing outfits and moves from everyone involved! Funding support means we can continue to provide a creative space for this project and group members involved going forward over the next few months.

.. great news about the extension! I just want to say I really appreciate and admire everything you’re doing for us x
Donna – Mum and Carer

I was amazed at how connected it all felt, it was a great wee creative community. I was nervous as didn’t know what to expect but it was really lovely & everyone felt at ease & relaxed taking part. 
Charmaine – Facilitator

Taking the Moon Music sessions online has meant we have been able to become more international with participants from different places in the world including New Jersey, New York and Spain! The group has recently paid tribute to Little Richard and wrote a Rock ‘n’ Roll tune, and are working on their first music video for one of their original tracks Red Ribbon. Sessions also provide an opportunity for everyone to perform and share songs and take time for some much-needed relaxation. These online sessions aren’t just benefiting those who already feel isolated but keeping us in touch with our volunteers and the whole Moon Base team.

You’re doing so many great things online, really has been lifting my spirits! Real sense of solidarity in the Zooms!
Niamh – Volunteer

It’s nice to meet new people in such a great and welcoming atmosphere where music connects all of us.

Iman- European Volunteer Service Volunteer

We are grateful that we can continue these essential projects online and keep the group together and connected during this time and look forward to working with our funding partners going forward longterm.

If you want to find out further information on the programmes mentioned  you can follow Moon Base on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/moonbasebelfastbb  or contact Seonaid at [email protected]

related blogs and news

We’re Recruiting a new Venue Duty Manager!

06•March•2024

Working with our established venue team, reporting to the Venue Manager and Operations Manager, this dynamic role is perfect for a candidate who has a background in hospitality, has excellent customer service and people management skills, and enjoys working in...

Read More

We’re recruiting a Black Box Projects and Outreach Officer!

02•March•2023

Working with Black Box Projects Group Members, volunteers and an established team, the Black Box Projects and Outreach Officer will be responsible for leading Black Box Community Outreach Projects through delivering accessible, engaging, and fun activities for existing and new...

Read More

Volunteer Call Out for Black Moon Disco!

16•August•2022

  We are looking for volunteers! Are you interested in meeting people, having fun, building experience and skills, and making a difference to others? We are looking for volunteers to join our award-winning team to support Black Moon Disco. Black...

Read More

Become a member at The Black Box

A home for live music, theatre, literature, comedy, film, visual art, science, circus, cabaret and all points in between – The Black Box has been one of Belfast’s most beloved venues since 2006. Our new membership will be launching very soon!

Sign up now!