the JUKEBOX IN A VAN
Promoting mental health through music and poetry.
The Jukebox Project invites clients in community residences who have experienced mental health difficulties to discuss amongst themselves and with staff their favourite poems and songs. This feeds into a collaborative setlist, which is turned into a two-way live performance brought straight to our audience's door from the Festival in a Van stage.
We have been thrilled to collaborative with the HSE and Mental Health Ireland in such a fun and collaborative way. Mental Health Ireland is the longest established mental health charity in Ireland. Throughout their history they and the Mental Health Associations have played a central role in reshaping how the public understand mental health issues. Since 1966, they have been front and centre in promoting mental health, supporting people with lived experience of mental health challenges in their recovery and bringing practical expression to national policy objectives.
Festival in a Van are delighted to continue our goal of reaching audiences who might sometimes feel marginalised from the arts, by bringing the show on the road directly to Mental Health Ireland’s clients.
Funded by the Arts Council Ireland
THE JUKEBOX PROJECT 2025
We're thrilled to be bringing The Jukebox Project back in 2025!
On Thursday 15 May, we're delighted to be bringing this experience to Galway city, visiting Merlin Park, Studio C, and Cois Saile Services. Featured artists include Rita Ann Higgins and Ruth Ennis.
On Thursday 26 June, we'll be bringing the party to Spirasi, Ireland's National Centre for Survivors of Torture, as well as Cheeverstown. Featured artists include Kiruu and Sarah Clancy.
Funded by the Arts Council Ireland
THE JUKEBOX PROJECT 2024
In April 2024, we visited six community residences across Offaly, Laois, and Wexford in partnership with the HSE & Mental Health Ireland, and RehabCare.
These visits featured poets Jim Maguire and Gerry Boland, and musicians Darren Browne and Rachel Grace. Popular requests included 'The Railway Children' by Seamus Heaney and 'Take Me Home Country Roads' which got absolutely everyone singing along!
Funded by the Arts Council Ireland
the jukebox project 2023
In April 2023, Festival in a Van with the HSE and Mental Health Ireland visited Mullingar and Longford for a two-day tour to community residencies.
These visits featured poets Rachael Hegarty and Mary Melvin Geoghegan, as well as musicians Fin Furey and Emma Warren. Our amazing performers brought their audiences on a musical and poetic journey, all from our own Festival in a Van stage.
Requests included everything from Frank Sinatra to Irish ballads to Country Western, and lots of appetite for poems by John O'Donoghue.
Funded by the Arts Council Ireland
'I work to empower clients to become socially inclusive, to recover and connect to their communities. One of the sectors that is requested continuously is the arts, music, and poetry. Music and poetry gives and receives […]. The musicians from The Jukebox Tour brought and gave hope solidarity, inspiration and solace.’ – Staff member, Mental Health Ireland
'I love to hear my favourite songs, thanks to the musician and poet for playing and reciting my favourite songs and poems. I have not heard a band in a very long time.' – Service User
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