Funding boost for Omagh drama group

A POPULAR drama group in Omagh has been named among 18 groups awarded funding to deliver bespoke art projects, designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s ‘National Lottery Young People and Wellbeing Arts Programme’, the Golden Apples Players will be offering 40 young people aged from 12-to-18 the chance to be involved in a very special drama project, ‘The Tiniest Lifeboat’.

The project is specifically- targeted at young people in the area living with mental health conditions or at risk of addiction.

Over the course of eight months, the Tyrone project will use drama, music and dance to explore and express challenges, feelings and perceptions that surround mental health.

The project will conclude with a ‘Revue’, a workshop where young people will showcase their feelings and expressions specifically relevant to their mental health journey over the project duration.

Commenting on their recent funding, Annmarie Conway from Golden Apples Players commented, “We, at the Golden Apples are thrilled to be able to deliver this programme to a group of young people in Omagh.

“We know the positive impact immersion in the arts can have on young people’s mental health and well-being.

“We look forward to seeing the young people develop expression, confidence and coping skills. We cannot thank the Arts Council enough for supporting our ‘Tiniest Lifeboat’ programme.”

The National Lottery Young People and Wellbeing Arts Programme was set up by the Arts Council to help give a voice to young people through drama, music, visual arts and literature activities.

Last autumn, organisations were invited to apply for up to £10,000 each to support arts-led projects, with a particular focus on developing proposals which included young people experiencing higher levels of disadvantage or exclusion and more vulnerable groups, such as those living with a mental health condition, eating disorders or addiction.