Ashton Community Trust – New Lodge Arts provides innovative, fun and educational arts-based activities to children, young people and their families in north Belfast. Each year, New Lodge Arts manage a range of projects aimed at meeting the needs of the community. These projects include:
• Arts Academy – a range of weekly arts classes including Dance, Visual Arts, Drama and Youth Leadership/Event Management
• Youth Development – a series of weekly classes, accredited training and events led by a part-time Youth Worker. Projects include Leadership in Youth Work, Event Management, Youth Advisory Group, Sexual Health, Drug/Alcohol Misuse Training, CV Support, Career Guidance, Volunteer Development and Youth Achievement Training.
• North Belfast Lantern Parade – an annual celebration of good relations in north Belfast involving an outreach programme of lantern making workshops culminating in a large scale event in the Waterworks Park
• North Belfast Winter Fest – a variety of Christmas themed activities for people across north Belfast including a Pantomime, Santa’s Grottos, Christmas Quiz’s, Pensioners Dinners and
• Taster Projects – a series of taster art projects offered to various community groups across north Belfast
• Outreach projects – a series of good relations projects with other youth organisations from across the political divide, uniting them in a positive experience using the arts as the foundation.