Festival to focus on arts and wellbeing

A FESTIVAL aimed at improving mental wellbeing through the arts will take place in Moray throughout May.

The programme for the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2019 is now on its way to pick-up points across the area.

Run by the non-profit organisation ARTS for Wellbeing, it promotes engagement in the arts as a way to create greater mental wellbeing and assist recovery from mental illness, trauma or addiction.

This year's theme is Connected and the festival, which runs from May 4-31, will take place at venues across the area, aimed at young and old alike.

A launch event will be held on Saturday, May 4, at St Giles Church on Elgin's High Street, with a range of creative people gathering to show and share their skills.

It is open from 10am to 4pm and is a free, drop-in event designed to showcase how arts can help improve mental health.

Participants can design a piece of art for the festival's Postcard Art Exhibition, dance like no-one is watching at the Solo Silent Disco, and enjoy healthy snacks and treats from Food for Mood. Information will also be available from local mental health groups who will have stalls along with artists, crafts people and other arts groups and classes displaying and promoting work.

Throughout the festival there will be talks, exhibitions, music events, family days, and creative workshops.

A new play None for the Road, written by Karen Grant and Sam Young, will also be presented as part of the festival.

Based on a true story, it follows characters Grace and Sophie on their journey to sobriety.

You can visit the ArtsforWellbeingMoray web page and Facebook site for the latest updates and full event details.

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