A Keady-based organisation which focuses on bringing the arts and opportunity to young people is now facing potential closure due to a lack of funding.
The people behind the ‘lifeline’ organisation known as ‘Don’t Box Me In’ are now urgently seeking support.
Speaking to Armagh I, Chairperson Rosemary Murray explained that the project – which began in 2017 – is facing a “severe funding crisis.”
Said Rosemary: “Without immediate support, we may be forced to shut down by the end of this year.
“I am spending all of my time going through funding applications and trying to come up with ideas to bring funds in.
“The problem is competition for funding now. There are just so many groups and organisations all applying for the same grants and it seems to be that the newer groups are prioritised.”
Describing themselves as “more than just a youth group”, Don’t Box Me In offer a place of sanctuary to young people aged eight to 25 who struggle to engage in mainstream activities due to challenges like disability, cultural differences, experiences within the care system, or involvement in antisocial behaviour.
Several of the group’s participants were keen to express their love for the programme in their own words.
Said 18-year-old Jake: “I’ve probably been going to Don’t Box Me In for seven to eight months now.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, meeting up with friends and doing really fun activities.”
A sentiment shared by friend Gerard: “I have witnessed lots of people gain confidence.
“I’ve seen people with and without disability break down barriers in between them.”
While the young participants were keen to discuss the fun they have during workshops, the parents found the impact of the group to be so much more profound.
Speaking to Armagh I, Jake’s mum said: “We travel in from Armagh and it’s absolutely worth it.
“Here, everyone is the same. They are all treated exactly the same as each other they each bring their own skills to the table and they get to express themselves.
Another parent who wished to remain anonymous described how her “socially mute” son just feels so comfortable coming into the Don’t Box Me In space.
For her and her children, it’s a safe space.
Rosemary is emotionally invested in the project, she – alongside Project Worker Chrissie – has been instrumental in its growth from day one.
And, its success has been tangible.
In the last year, there have been over 800 recorded attendances at 71 workshops with six young leaders successfully completing Level One Youth Leadership Training through Youth Action.
The young people of Don’t Box Me In were also entirely responsible for creating a hugely successful Silent Movie which was showcased as part of a live performance.
Two Art Exhibitions were also collated using examples of young people’s work in Keady Library and the Market Place Theatre.
And, most recently Don’t Box Me In were recognised by the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council with commendations at two Community Development Awards.
Understandably – with so much good achieved year on year – handling the lack of financial support has been soul destroying and extremely worrying for Rosemary.
In September, the organisation made the incredibly difficult but necessary decision to let two staff members go.
Desperate to keep the programme running, Rosemary, Chrissie, volunteers, service users and parents of service users are now clubbing together to help secure funding by any means necessary.
Together with kind community donations, the Don’t Box Me In ‘family’ have managed to prepare a number of fundraising events in an effort to self-fund the project for as long as possible.
Said Rosemary: “We have a GoFundMe page and we’re about to launch a raffle.
“We will also be having a quiz night in the Twisted Fox in Keady on November 29 and I hope people will come out and support that.”
The group continue in their quest to secure recurring funding opportunities but, for now, are humbly appealing for public “generosity”.
Click here to make a contribution to Don’t Box Me In’s GoFundMe page.
