Loneliness is being tackled for Mental Health Awareness Week
HINCKLEY’S Atkins Building is promoting Mental Health Awareness Week until May 15.
The Mental Health Foundation, which began its annual campaign 21 years ago, sets a different theme each year and hosts events and provides resources to help raise 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, featuring work by Artspiration, Starleng Art Therapy and Sharing Precious Memories to highlight the benefits of creative expression on mental health and wellbeing. It can be seen until Tuesday, May 17.
A programme of free events has been running throughout Mental Health Awareness Week:
■ Today (May 11), 10am to 11am: Comedy workshop with Rob Gee. Join Rob for a taster session in writing and performing comedy.
■ Today, 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Starleng Art Therapy. Join Lyni for an hour of free creative expression using a variety of materials – a chance to let your mind wander.
■ Tomorrow (May 12), 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.
■ Tomorrow (May 12), 1:30pm to 2:30pm: Starleng Art Therapy.
Councillor Mark Shepard-Bools, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s 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.
“I am delighted that the Atkins Gallery in partnership with Arts Connect is able to offer such a wide range of workshops and 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, email Lindsay Orton at the address below. Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. To keep up to date on Atkins Building, follow its social media accounts @ AtkinsBuilding on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.