The island’s sole Manx-speaking nursery has received a major boost from the Manx Lottery Trust.

The £15,000 grant, which has been distributed by the trust as part of the National Lottery’s community fund, will be used by Mooinjer Veggey in Braddan to fund learning resources.

These will be used to help children and their families learn and use the Manx language outside of the school environment.

The need for additional support was highlighted during lockdown last year when the nursery reported a lack of resources for parents trying to raise their children through Manx, a language many don’t speak.

The grant from the Trust will allow a part-time coordinator to commission resources from stories to songs, books to videos, science to history - all of which will be made available through the Mooinjer Veggey website.

As well as original short stories, translations of existing stories, targeted science and maths resources, videos, a new book and a CD of rhymes and songs will also be produced, along with activity packs for parents who want to help their children learn Manx at home and for other nursery providers wishing to use Manx.

Phil Gawne of Mooinjer Veggey explained: ’Our aim has always been to provide education through the Manx language and the generosity of the Manx Lottery Trust is a massive boost.

’By making resources available through YouTube and by expanding our website which will be accessible for all, this project will ensure more in-depth material is available for all ages at all times. It will also be ideal for any children wishing to catch up following the reduced lessons during Covid-19.’

Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust Sarah Kelly added: ’Mooinjer Veggey encourages people to learn but also strengthens wider communities of Manx speakers as children and their families become more grounded in Manx society and culture, with stronger senses of place and personal wellbeing.

’An added benefit is that research also shows bilingual children are better at acquiring additional languages.’

Mooinjer Veggey, which translates in Manx Gaelic as ’little people’, follows the early years foundation stage curriculum and encourages learning through play.

It promotes the Manx language and culture in addition to supporting the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh through developing new learning resources, staff training and parental support.

Since it was established in 1996, it has helped over 170 pupils become fluent in Manx, radically transforming the fortunes of the language.

After falling dramatically from the end of the 19th century, the number of Manx speakers has increased significantly since the 1990s and the 2011 census recorded more than 1,800 in the island.