A space for young people and families to check out organisations involved in youth work, the arts and mental health, including Suzanne Baines (You Matter Always), Theatre Nemo and Create Paisley.

The Well Happy Band aims to teach people how to improve physical and mental health and resilience through laughter yoga, music, the arts and mind-body science, while having fun, connecting with others and learning about themselves. Join us for a night of fun, laughs and audience participation.

Through the prism of video games, Amy Conway explores what depression is like and what it is like to fight it, asking the audience to become her fellow adventurers in an interactive experience that asks difficult questions and quests for elusive sparks of joy in the deep dark multi-user dungeons of the soul.

Changing Stages Drama Group will perform an engaging piece of theatre around the experience and impact of poor mental health and addiction. Everyone is welcome to attend the open workshop, with the performance taking place the following week.

A mental health awareness workshop focusing on minority ethnic communities in Renfrewshire. Featuring a range of presentations, including the film Open Secrets.

If you’d like to try drumming, meet new people or simply want to get out of the house and do something new, join Buddy Beat for an open morning of drumming, music and wellbeing!

Brought together by artist Josie Vallely, this exhibition features work by people from across Paisley, exploring the theme of mental health stigma in health and social care. There will also be a chance to take part in workshops with Josie and ceramicist Kevin Andrew Morris.

Also join us for the launch of the festival in Renfrewshire, which celebrates the best of creativity and wellbeing in our local area. There will be performances, activities and a guided tour of the Caring Conversations exhibition.

On the Button

Bumbag? Check. Luminescent shell suit? Check. Positive attitude in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? Hell yeah! Inspired by real life stories, this is a frank, funny and open exploration of a topic that too often remains taboo: the challenge of overcoming anxiety.

A permanent exhibition which reflects the local area and history of Erskine, created by Made in the Mill artists who use creativity as part of their recovery.

A new solo exhibition of artwork by local artist Mandi Mixup, who presents a humorous and, at times, macabre twist on famous paintings from the history of art.

The story of how community arts engagement got us to Paisley 2021 and beyond! Frame by Frame presents this festival edition of its regular film night, showcasing the best of local filmmaking.

Live performance from Fundamental Conduit, a collective of musicians and writers who create a unique combination of music and spoken word. Plus chilled out, sci-fi inspired house grooves by Viridian City Beat Police.

Enjoy this family film afternoon, featuring Disney Pixar’s award-winning Inside Out. Watch 11-year-old Riley struggle with her emotions as she moves to a new city and starts a new school.

As part of TH.CARS2, The History Girls give a presentation about Paisley born Jessie Newbery, Glasgow Girl and founder of GSA’s Embroidery Department. They will then lead a workshop exploring the impact women have had on Paisley’s design heritage.

A short docufilm created in partnership with Media Monty in which a group of Renfrewshire women explore and rediscover the life and times of locals who lived in the 19th century: Jane Arthur, Mary Barbour and three of the Mrs Coats’.

Renfrewshire Anti Stigma Alliance hosts a learning event for individuals to engage in a discussion and contribute their experiences of recovery. Join us for stories and recovery focused films in an informal learning environment.

Explore how the practice of mindfulness can inspire the creative process, particularly in creative writing. Take time out to observe, explore and create.

Voluntary Arts Scotland matched poets with creative groups across Renfrewshire, celebrating local creativity and exploring how getting creative makes us feel.

Nights at the Round Table present their monthly open mic spoken word event, featuring original poetry and prose with a mental health theme. Come along to listen or take part, with chances to share your poems and stories with a supportive audience. Everyone is welcome.

Join other creatives in a relaxed open mic style evening based around making and sharing original art, writing, poetry, spoken word and music on the theme of new beginnings. Art supplies will be provided.

Paisley Job Centre hosts a group photography exhibition of work by Peer Focus, a recovery-based photography group.

Darren McGarvey, aka Loki the Scottish rapper, presents an event of rap, comedy and spoken word. His best-selling book Poverty Safari explores the themes of poverty and social inequality and the effects these can have on our emotions. Refreshments provided.

Celebrate the Sunshine Recovery Café’s fifth birthday with a free buffet, open mic performances from the Creative Writing Group, drama from Changing Stages, music from the Paisley Guitar Group, and comedy from William ‘Big Will’ Clark.

Come and join RockUs Community Choir for an evening of singing and laughing. Feel the benefits that singing with like-minded people can add to your mental health.

Members of ROAR, Renfrewshire’s third sector organisation for older people, exhibit pictures that hold some memory, significance or element of a story for them. The images also act as snapshots of Paisley’s industrial or social past.

An all-day extravaganza with some of the most accomplished cover bands in the West of Scotland, rocking an iconic live music venue, followed by a jam night. Celebrate the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

As part of the Paisley TH.CARS2 project, the Sma’ Shot Weavers in Residence invite you to join them for a textile skills sharing weekend. Drop in sessions will run both mornings, with a weaving workshop available to sign up for each afternoon. No experience necessary and tea, coffee and cake will be provided.

Is it permissible to “spoon” with a young man before you’re engaged? Is dancing bad for your ovaries? Find out the answers to these burning questions and check out more useful, quaint and downright dangerous advice, fashion and health and beauty tips contained in the archives of Glasgow Women’s Library and the National Library of Scotland film archive.

As part of the TH.CARS2 project, join us for a weekend of DIY print works hosted by artists from our experimental print club and inspired by Paisley’s textile heritage!

Renfrewshire Anti Stigma Alliance (RASA) invite you to our annual event to challenge discrimination and stereotyping one conversation at a time. This flat one-mile walk is suitable for all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome.

A digital workshop for young people aged 12-21 led by Paisley YMCA. Try out the latest digital tools and technology, learn some new ways to express yourself and even play around with virtual reality.

Glasgow Women's Library introduces some fabulous women who have taken on the menopause in fiction, poetry and more. Listen to entertaining and thought-provoking readings from the GWL collections and share in relaxed discussion and creative activities to explore how the menopause is the end of some things but can also be a new beginning.

“It is in the autumn and winter of life that woman is freed from her chains,…” Simone De Beauvoir, The Second Sex

Relax while you listen to a story and poems being read out loud, then join in the discussion. We will listen to work by selected writers from the shelves of Glasgow Women’s Library on the theme of Beginnings. A great chance to chill out, discover some new women authors and enjoy the company.

An afternoon featuring films made by young people about mental health or the theme of Beginnings. Prizes and ongoing support will be awarded to the winners and runners up.

To launch Renfrewshire’s Youth Mental Health Arts Festival, come and see how young people are using the arts to express themselves and explore issues affecting their mental health. Featuring dance, music, films, stories and poetry from Jump Dance Crew, Prima School of Dance, Rachelle & Brittany Davies, Sophie Paterson, Kibble, Create Paisley and more.

An educational workshop suitable for anyone involved in supporting 11-17 year olds with mental health issues. Come along to increase your knowledge and skills in supporting others.