Free mental health awareness events at Atkins Building (9 to 15 May)

The Mental Health Foundation, which began its campaign 21 years ago, sets a different theme each year and hosts events and provides resources to help raise the awareness of mental health and how to seek help and improve mental health. The theme this year is ‘loneliness’.

The Atkins Gallery is hosting The Arts Connect exhibition, which is open now until 17 May and features work by Artspiration, Starleng Art Therapy and Sharing Precious Memories to highlight the benefits of creative expression on mental health and well-being. 

There is a programme of free events running throughout Mental Health Awareness Week:

• Monday 9 May, 10am to 2pm: Market place event for mental health and wellbeing services. Come along and have a chat to our local service providers helping you to maintain good mental health and wellbeing
• Tuesday 10 May, 10am to 10:45am: Help! My mind is driving me crazy with Linda from Mind. We may not be able to control everything in life, but we can change our relationship to it. This is a short introduction to the use of mindfulness practices to bring more calm into our days. There will be some short practices interweaved through the session
• Wednesday 11 May, 10am to 11am: Comedy Workshop with Rob Gee. Join Rob for a taster session in writing and performing comedy
• Wednesday 11 May, 1:30pm to 2:30pm: Starleng Art Therapy. Join Lyni for an hour of free creative expression using a variety of materials – let your mind wander
• Thursday 12 May, 10am to 11am: Rise and Shine workshop. Let Emma help you build your personal resilience to move forward and create a strong base for your future. Discover new tools, ideas, and resources to help you rise and shine
• Thursday 12 May, 1:30pm to 2:30pm: Starleng Art Therapy. Join Lyni for an hour of free creative expression using a variety of materials – let your mind wander

Councillor Mark Sheppard-Bools, Health and Wellbeing Champion said:

This year’s theme for mental health awareness week is ‘loneliness’ which affects millions of people across the UK. Loneliness of course has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic due to periods of isolation and lockdowns. So, I am delighted that the Atkins Gallery is hosting the Arts Connect exhibition and is able to offer such a wide range of workshops. I hope that residents will take the opportunity to visit, meet other people and potentially learn a new skill, hobby or acquire some tips to support mental health.

For more information, or to book a place on a Mental Health Awareness week event, please email Lindsay Orton: lindsay.orton@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk 
 
Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. To keep up to date on Atkins Building, please follow their social media accounts @AtkinsBuilding on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.