MOOINJER VEGGEY LAUNCHES MANX LANGUAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

Local nursery school and educational charity, Mooinjer Veggey, has launched an Island-wide community and cultural engagement programme, which aims to engage residents with the Manx language and Island’s culture. 

Based in St John’s, Mooinjer Veggey promotes the use of Manx Gaelic among young people through its nursery at St Johns, Possan Cloie Manx parent and toddler groups and its support of the Manx-speaking primary school, Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.

The charity’s community and cultural engagement programme will be supported by a Manx Lottery Trust grant of £17,500 and will primarily focus on second language communities in the Isle of Man. The charity also plans to attract a broader section of the Manx community to support and learn our Manx language.

The grant will be used to support programme outreach, which includes cultural exchange events, educational resources such as videos, together with a range of community activities and experiences. Funding will also support the employment of a part-time Project Officer to oversee the programme.

Philip Gawne, CEO of Mooinjer Veggey, said: ‘Mooinjer Veggey’s founding purpose is to encourage and support children and families to learn and use our Island’s native language. To do this we are always looking for further ways to broaden our base of supporters. Our community and cultural engagement programme will inspire people to use Manx Gaelic in day-to-day life using a range of immersive experiences and tools, which will be both fun and educational!

‘Over 4% of the Manx population speak languages other than Manx and English, and Mooinjer Veggey is keen to celebrate the Island’s linguistic diversity as well as helping people from other cultures better understand the culture and linguistic heritage of the Isle of Man.

‘Finally, on behalf of Mooinjer Veggey, I’d like to thank Manx Lottery Trust for this generous grant which has enabled us to make this project a reality.’

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: ‘The Trust are pleased to support Mooinjer Veggey’s Manx language community project – a fantastic platform to help support and develop Manx Gaelic for future generations.’

To find out more about Mooinjer Veggey, please visit: www.mooinjerveggey.org.im/.

This grant has been awarded from Manx Lottery Trust’s Dormant Assets Fund. To find out more, head to: www.mlt.org.im/grant-programmes.