IRIE! dance theatre based at the Moonshot Centre in New Cross, London Borough of Lewisham is celebrating today after being awarded £397,040 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
IRIE! dance theatre will use the funding to develop its capacity to expand and sustain its thriving community and education programmes locally and at its base at the Moonshot centre.
The project entitled Moonshot Community will provide a greater number of classes, activities, events and community hires that respond to reach and impact a greater number of people in the local area.
This new National Lottery funding will support IRIE!’s work with elders, children and young people, women and families to:
· Improve physical and mental well-being of people, those worst impacted by COVID
· Improve educational opportunities and life-chances of Children and Young People (CYP)
· Involve the community in the development of its base at the Moonshot Centre
· Develop opportunities for volunteering and skills development for community participants and IRIE! students and graduates.
The programme will start in September 2022 and will include activities such as, community conversations; dance, drumming and movement classes for all; Vintage Tea programmes for elders; After school and holiday programmes for CYP; an annual community fun day for local people and more…
The Moonshot Community programme will reach a minimum of 5,000 beneficiaries per year with a 15% increase year on year.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
Beverley Glean MBE, Artistic Director and CEO of IRIE! dance theatre said:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can further strengthen the company’s standing in the local community. The funding will enable us to invest in our staff and enable the delivery of educational, creative and social activities, inspired by African and Caribbean culture and heritage, which increases participation in the arts and community life for people of all culture and ages, which benefits well-being, health and life opportunities. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
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