Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival wraps up soon
Some fantastic events will be taking place at venues throughout North Ayrshire in the coming weeks as part of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, including art and photography exhibitions, theatre, poetry, music, arts workshops, a community drumming circle, and much more.
Tickets for the majority of events are free, but pre-booking may be required. For more information and a link to the full programme of events, visit the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival website.
Moments of Reflection: Created by members of Irvine Camera Club, this exhibition responds to this year’s festival theme of ‘Reflections’. Some photographs explore reflections in the literal sense, while others reflect on memory, identity, relationships, place, and the emotions that shape our lives. A physical exhibition will run at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine from Monday 19 October to Sunday 8 November, with an opportunity to view a digital version of the exhibition at The Portal, Irvine, over the same dates.
The BIG Community Drum Circle: This ever-popular event will be held on Wednesday 21 October at South Beach Baptist Church, Saltcoats, bringing together people of all ages to connect through the power of rhythm. With an inspiring line-up of facilitators from across the UK, everyone will be supported to take part in a welcoming environment. No experience necessary.
Harbourside Headspace: Breaching the Water: An exhibition of original artwork created by the unpaid carers community in North Ayrshire, together with participatory artist Ellie Swanston. Hosted in the Scottish Maritime Museum, the exhibition will feature beautiful, unusual pieces, including a coracle - a small, lightweight, tortoise-shell shaped boat, traditionally used in Celtic cultures. Thursday 29 October to Sunday 29 November.
SHI(F)T HAPPENS: An intimate interdisciplinary performance combining original songs, spoken word and visual storytelling. Interdisciplinary artist, Máirín, invites the audience to recognise themselves in the stories and consider how small shifts in perspective can change the way they see themselves and the world around them. Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, Friday 6 November.
Book Brunch with Dr Emma Hepburn & Dr Punam Krishan: Tidelines Book Festival and North Ayrshire Libraries invite you to join them for an exciting discussion with two trail-blazing authors, with the discussion offering powerful research-backed tools for recovery. Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, Saturday 7 November.
New for this year is a Community Takeover Trail, transforming everyday spaces into places of inspiration, expression and discovery. This will see local community groups and organisations coming together to create thought-provoking installations and displays that encourage us to pause, connect and see our communities in a different light.
As part of the festival, our Learning Disability Service has also worked in partnership with others to provide two events exploring the work of Robert Burns. Entitled 'A Cup o' Kindness', these will take different approaches to his poetry.
Residents joined Ayrshire poet and storyteller, Simon Lamb, for a lively, interactive and inclusive performance about the work of Robert Burns. Together they looked at examples of the poetry of Burns, sharing in the joy and kindness of his work, as well as making space to pause and enjoy the power of poetry.
The second event storytelling event will see Ailie Finlay lead a sensory story session at Trindlemoss Day Opportunities on Wednesday 28 October.
Ailie, who specialises in story sessions for people with severe/profound additional needs, will use sounds, sights, textures and actions to lead participants through a sensory retelling of Robert Burns’ poem ‘The Wren’s Nest’, as well as other aspects of his work.
As these sessions are intended for people with profound/multiple learning disabilities and their supporters, the event will be split into three smaller groups with a maximum of 6 participating clients per session. To book a spot for your chosen time slot, follow the links below:
- Wednesday 28 October: Sensory storytelling session (1pm to 1.30pm)
- Wednesday 28 October: Sensory storytelling session (2pm to 2.30pm)
- Wednesday 28 October: Sensory storytelling session (3.15pm to 3.45pm)
For additional information in relation to the sessions, please email: dominic.jarrett@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
These events have been made possible with the support of the Scottish Book Trust Live Literature fund.
Published October 26, 2026
