A day-long programme of dancing, music and craic for people and by people with learning difficulties is taking place as part of this year’s Féile an Phobail.

‘Black Moon at Féile an Phobail’ takes place on Tuesday, August 4, at the Devenish Complex and finishes off at the Black Box in Hill Street that night.

It’s hosted by a three-way partnership between Black Moon, the popular monthly club night for people with learning difficulties at the Black Box, Creating Connections, a Black Box-based programme that engages with older adults with learning disabilities, and the training and employment social enterprise NOW Group which helps people with barriers to employment and learning into the workforce.

Black Box Manager Sarah Jones said: “We’re thrilled to be delivering a day-long programme of entertainment for people with learning difficulties by people with learning difficulties of all ages and for their families.

“This is the second time we have held an event as part Féile an Phobail so we jumped at the chance of taking part this year.  It’s going to be a great day of entertainment for all the family, with something for everyone.”

NOW Group Community Development Manager, Jayne McStay, said events such as this were an important way to engage people with learning difficulties into the wider community.

“NOW Group prides itself on using social innovation to promote inclusion amongst some of the most hard-to-reach sections of our society, such as people with learning difficulties,” she said.

“Black Box is a like-minded organisation to ours.  We have been working with Black Box for years, it hosts our weekly Kidnap Wednesday social forums for adults with learning difficulties, and likewise a lot of our service users regularly attend its Black Moon Club. We’re delighted to be partnering together as part of this year’s Féile and Phobail and would encourage as many people as possible to come along to at least one of these three great events.”

Details for Black Moon at Féile an Phobail are as follows:

 


 

  • 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Devenish – Creating Connections Tea Dance for older adults with learning disabilities/difficulties. This event is free entry and refreshments will be provided by NOW Group’s social enterprise, Loaf Catering & Cafes.


 

  • 7pm to 11pm at Black Box, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast – Black Moon disco, the monthly, inclusive club night for adults with learning difficulties. This event is pay at the door - £3 in and £1 for carers