Drama highlights suicide issues

Londondderry-based theatre company Handful Productions and Foyle Down Syndrome Trust are two of seven organisations receiving grants totalling 60,936 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Healthy Minds NI programme which is supporting activities to improve the mental health and well- being of local people across Northern Ireland.

Handful Productions is using a grant of 5,600 to stage ten public performances of No Goodbyes a powerful drama depicting the impact of suicide. Co-founder Felicity McCall explained that she developed the drama to respond to the high rate of suicides in the city.

“I realised that there was a need to do something to do tell the stories of those who had been affected by suicide, the parents, siblings, children, friends schoolmates and those who had survived a suicide attempt and were rebuilding their lives,” she said.

“The feedback has been fantastic – we have already shown it in schools and communities across the North West and have taken it directly to people who have been affected by suicide.

“This grant from the Big Lottery Fund will allow us to run even more productions to a wider group of people, particularly to organisations that support parents and older people in rural areas.”

Foyle Down Syndrome Trust has also secured 8,340 to develop the Big Steps to Adulthood programme which will provide a range of activities and programmes to improve the mental health and independence of young people with Down Syndrome in the city.

The programme will include training sessions on nutrition, diet, IT and budgeting money as well as a pioneering project that will help the young people become more aware of road safety.

Trust director Billy McIlwaine said it was vital that this type of support was provided for young people with Down Syndrome as they were preparing to leave school. He added: “We have a group of young people who are preparing to leave school but still need support. This grant will allow us to develop a range of programmes that will help our young people to develop the life skills they need to become more independent.

“Some of the grant will be used to buy some tandem bikes and our young people will be paired with someone who will take them out and about the city to make them more confident and safe on the roads.

“This is a very important project as it will help boost the confidence and self esteem of a very important group of young people and help them lead more independent lives in the future.”

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair said: “The Healthy Minds programme is supporting activities at the heart of local communities. Improving people’s mental health and well-being can have a positive impact on family life, work and social life – the community as a whole.

“I am delighted to be announcing these grants which will make a major difference to the lives of many people. I also delighted that we are partnering with the BBC’s Headroom NI mental health campaign to highlight the issue and ensure as many groups as possible know about Healthy Minds and can apply for funding.”