Renfrewshire

A-MAZE-ING Labyrinth Workshop
Join STAR Project for a workshop to learn how labyrinths can support wellbeing.

ARTISAN'S INSTITUTE: WEAVING EXHIBITION
As part of TH.CARS2, this exhibition of woven textiles has been made by a group of participants from the STAR Project, Phoenix Activity Group, RAMH, InCube, the DRC, and KAIROS with support from Glasgow Clyde College weaving tutor Amy Bond.

ARTISAN’S INSTITUTE: WEAVING WORKSHOP
As part of TH.CARS2, join professional weaver Amy Bond for a drop-in weaving workshop.


BIG PIECE & JAM
A showcase of talents and skills from workshops and group activities within the Sunshine Recovery Café.
BUDDY BEAT: HIT THE BEAT
Join Renfrewshire’s award winning The Buddy Beat for a morning of rhythm and wellbeing.

Children’s Creative Workshop
The Diane Mitchell Music School invites children aged 5-13 to enjoy a music and drama workshop.

CLARSACH CONNECTING
This concert by acclaimed harpist Rachel Hair brings modern and traditional music to elevate the atmosphere of the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

COME AND TRY CIRCLE DANCING
A great opportunity to try Circle Dancing in Paisley. Circle Dancing is a collection of dances and music from around the world. Some of the dances are traditional and some are choreographed. The dances have a wide variety of form and mood, from slow and meditative to the frankly energetic and celebratory but all are inclusive and welcoming for people of all ages. Come along to this introductory session, give it a try and if you enjoy it you can join in the weekly classes in the same venue.

Community Labyrinth Launch
Join STAR Project for the launch of their community labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day.

CREATE CAFÉ: OPEN MIC
Create Café is a free safe creative space for 12-21-year olds to express themselves through music or art and connect with friends.

CREATE Wellbeing Café
Join Create Paisley for a wellbeing café with creative activities, games, mindfulness and more.

DANCE GROOVES
Join the Renfrewshire Carers Centre for a gentle dance fitness session that connects diverse movements, great music and good vibes. Suitable for all levels and abilities.

DIGITAL WELLNESS
Open youth drop-in space aiming to promote mental health awareness and empower young people to maintain their own positive mental health.

DON'T BE BOARD!
Join other gaming enthusiasts in the Festival Hub for two afternoons of board game workshops. A range of fun and strategy games will be on offer, with enthusiasts at hand to introduce you to new, exciting worlds. With Renfrewshire Libraries gaming groups.

FAITH, HOPE & MENTAL WELLBEING
Join us in exploring the role that faith and spirituality have in promoting or maintaining mental health and how connections within faith communities can provide hope for the future.

FINDING YOUR FLOW
As part of TH.CARS2, a daylong exploratory workshop for beginners and refreshers in hand knitting led by professional knitter Rosie Little.

FINDING YOURSELF
Artist in Residence, Jim Buchanan, will be demonstrating the mental health benefits of labyrinth creation. These are creative workshops, aimed to increase confidence and wellbeing. No previous knowledge of labyrinths required. #FindingYourself

FINDING YOURSELF: LABYRINTH OF LIGHT
Artist Jim Buchanan will be creating a labyrinth of light for people to walk and practice mindfulness.

FINDING YOURSELF: WALK AS ONE
It’s World Labyrinth Day, when people from across the world join together to walk labyrinths. STAR Project are inviting you to walk their outdoor, temporary labyrinth in Fountain Gardens and Walk as One at 1pm as part of their #FindingYourself project.

Folding Into Nature
In this interactive origami workshop, you will learn how to create several different paper sculptures. We will also look at how the Japanese culture approaches health and wellbeing through interaction with nature.
Participants must supply their own paper, scissors, pen or pencil, and a ruler. Standard plain or coloured paper is suitable for this activity. Newspaper and magazines can also be used.
For ages 12+, although younger children may attend with an adult. Booking is essential.

FUNDAMENTAL CONDUIT & FRIENDS
Event showcasing arts project Fundamental Conduit who mix spoken word and music to create an exciting show which promotes positive mental health for all participants.

Gather at the Park for Walk a Mile
Renfrewshire Anti Stigma Alliance (RASA) invites you to their annual event to challenge discrimination and stigma, one conversation at a time.

GET CONNECTED! FESTIVAL LAUNCH EVENT
You are invited to the Renfrewshire Mental Health Arts Festival launch event, which kicks off the festival in style and gives a taste of events to come.

GIRLS NIGHT IN
Columnist and author Shari Lowe will discuss her book Because Mummy Said So! a funny collection of features about family life. Complimentary Prosecco, cupcakes and chocolate will be served along with therapy sessions courtesy of Eve Spa. Refreshments and therapies included with entry.

Happilele Lessons 2021
Six weeks of free ukulele and happiness lessons. Come and learn the happiest little instrument in the world along with tips and techniques to improve mood, boost energy and fill your life with joy.
For ages 12+, although younger children may attend with an adult. You will need your own ukulele. Please contact [email protected] if you need help with this.
Find out more about The Well Happy Band on their Facebook page.

KIBBLE ALLSORTS: CREATIVE CONNECTIONS
Pupils and staff will present an evening of entertainment featuring the Kibble Band, short films, dance and musical theatre.

Laughter Yoga
Join us for fun and games to celebrate World laughter Day 2021. Learn how to use laughter for better health, happiness, and connection.
For ages 12+, although younger children may attend with an adult. Booking is essential.

LAUGHTER YOGA
Come along for Laughter Yoga with Well Happy to celebrate World Laughter Day. A stress-busting afternoon of mirth and mischief with a little relaxation to help you unwind. All ages welcome.

LAUGHTER YOGA & MASK MAKING
Interactive talk and laughter yoga from Well Happy, followed by a creative mask making session.

LISTEN & LEARN
Listen and learn event for people to engage in a discussion exploring the importance of wellbeing, good mental health, and feeling connected and belonging in recovery paths.


Mindspace
Our annual visual art exhibition, Mindspace will take place in window displays across Paisley this May.
Look out for the amazing album covers that were painted throughout lockdown, reminding us of the power of music to provide a sense of wellbeing and normality.

MINDSPACE OPEN ART EXHIBITION
An Open Art Exhibition which celebrates wellbeing and creativity. Artworks on display represent the work of local art groups and artists who recognise the value of creativity to their wellbeing or who have used art as part of their recovery to health.

More Than a Space
Kairos celebrate their move into their new home with an artistic project using recycled materials.

MOVING PARTS
An exhibition of digital imagery and film by Peer Focus Recovery Photography Group which explores Paisley's mechanised industrial past. The work was made in collaboration with artists from the Threadlines Project, part of Renfrewshire Council’s Paisley TH.CARS2 regeneration programme.

Music Café
Enjoy an afternoon of music with a professional tutor at the Diane Mitchell Music School.

NATURAL DYEING
As part of TH.CARS2, a daylong beginners' workshop exploring natural dyeing techniques led by textile artist Gillian Steel.

Online Book Group
Renfrewshire Libraries launch their new online book group with The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, author of How to Stop Time and The Humans.
This is a poignant, unique novel about regret, hope and forgiveness - and a library that houses second chances. It has been described as It's a Wonderful Life for the modern age.
Copies of the book can be borrowed online in advance from Renfrewshire Libraries.
Follow Renfrewshire libraries on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OPEN MIND FEST: YOUTH FESTIVAL
A youth-curated strand of SMHAF based in Paisley. The festival explores youth mental health through everything from music, film and art, to theatre, poetry, and journalism.

Paint Loch Lomond
Art for the feart! Easy to learn pastel making of a landscape.
Learn how to build a painting using pastels, using easy to follow instructions. It helps to build confidence just to have a go at something new. The results will delight.
This session will take place on Zoom and a link will be sent by email. You will need a small packet of pastels and paper you can draw onto – either standard paper or pastel paper.

PASSING TIME
An exhibition of poetry which celebrates positive mental health and wellbeing on the festival theme of Connected. Poetry will be on public display across nine station platforms in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.


Postcards from the Edge of the Rabbit Hole of Normal
Create your own textured postcard telling someone or everyone what you want them to know about mental health.
Catherine McAtier, a Paisley embroidery and textile artist, had the idea a couple of years ago to create an art quilt and book of things about mental health that are worth knowing – from the inside out.
This event brings you the opportunity to create your own textured postcard with your message. Your piece can be added to the final quilt or book, or you can just save it for yourself or give it to the person you feel needs to know what you’ve shared.
You will be asked to book a one-hour slot during the day.
This event will take place in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines on Covid-19. This may lead to it taking place online via Zoom. Please visit this page or contact the organisers for up-to-date information.


Sma’sh Hits Showcase: SMHAF Special
Join music collective Sma’sh Hits for an evening of songwriting and special performances.

Sma’sh Hits x SHE SINGS
Sma’sh Hits and SHE SINGS have teamed up for an exciting online performance from Renfrewshire Musicians.
Sma’sh Hits is a Renfrewshire-based music collective that celebrates and discovers local talent. The collective meet every month and gives musicians the opportunity to collaborate, network, build a community & strengthen the scene.
SHE SINGS is a songwriting group for young women aged between 16 and 25 in Paisley with the wider aim of tackling the gender gap in the music industry while harnessing a sustainable collective of women who support each other through songwriting.
The two collectives have joined forces for RMHAF to showcase the songwriting talents of local Renfrewshire musicians who will explore themes of mental health throughout their performances.
Sma’sh Hits - #smashhitspaisley
Twitter - @PaisleyArts
Facebook - @PaisleyArtsCentre
Insta - @paisleyartscentre

SPINNING WORKSHOP
As part of TH.CARS2, a daylong beginners' workshop in hand spinning led by fibre artist Laryna E Wuppermann.

TEXTILES AND WELLBEING
A seminar as part of TH.CARS2 exploring the positive impact that textile making can have on people's sense of health and wellbeing. Presentations from Prof Jacqueline Atkinson, Dr Alison Mayne and Dr Anna Fisk will be followed by a discussion. Booking advised.

The Kairos Self-Care Collective
Kairos and Renfrewshire Libraries are bringing you The Kairos Self-Care Collective. Kairos mental health group have produced a poem about self-care and normality in lockdown.
We are asking for submissions from women and non-binary people on how you have maintained self-care during lockdown.
Please submit your art, crafts, photos, or written pieces to [email protected] The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 20 April.
Kairos Renfrewshire Facebook.
#womensupportingwomen #selfcare #normalityinlockdown #creativity

Upcycled Bag Making
Make upcycled shopping bags using waste materials in this workshop hosted by RAMH.

WALK A MILE
Renfrewshire Anti-Stigma Alliance (RASA) invites you to our annual event to challenge discrimination and stereotyping, one conversation at a time.

WALK WITH ME
A mindful afternoon on the theme of connectedness between ourselves, each other and the earth.

Wellbeing Gathering
Join Create Paisley and The Star Project for a wellbeing gathering.
Try new activities, share food, visit mental health murals, enjoy music and celebrate wellness in your local community.
This event creates a welcoming space to learn about different ways to look after your wellbeing.

Wellbeing of the Woods
An Open Aye guided woodland photo walk, using the principles of Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing. Try new photography techniques to explore creativity, the mind, and the great outdoors, sharing tea and healthy snacks under the trees. All abilities welcome. Booking essential.
Wellbeing of the Woods (WOW) is run by Open Aye, specialists in participatory photography projects. The workshops are sponsored and supported by Scottish Forestry.
The WOW project shows that everyone can benefit from being creative in a woodland environment. Taking photos in nature enables us to see things differently, makes us slow down, asks us to pay attention to our senses and encourages us to really appreciate our surroundings. Photo walking in the woods is a gentle activity, open to all and it’s free. It will relax and invigorate in equal measure. A great thing to do in the woods, whatever the weather!
Visit www.eco-ayes.co.uk for more information.

Where Are the Birds Taking Me?
An online poetry-writing workshop on the theme of birds, suitable for writers of all levels of ability.

WOMEN IN THE LANDSCAPE
Our mental health and wellbeing benefit when we nourish our connections to landscape, earth and nature. Delve into poetry and fiction by women writers including Amy Liptrot and Helen MacDonald and discover how creative writing about ecology and environment can empower and nurture.
This event is 18+ and women only. All women-only events are inclusive of Trans and Intersex women, as well as non-binary and gender fluid people.
This session is offered by Glasgow Women’s Library in partnership with Renfrewshire Mental Health Arts Festival and Kairos, Renfrewshire.