Festival of Hope
A DAY OF FREE EVENTS TO CELEBRATE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Tuesday 10th October at 2 Royal Avenue 10am – 5pm
For flyer please download: Festival of Hope Poster 2023
World Mental health day takes place on 10th October every year and the theme for this year’s Northern Ireland regional campaign is “Creating Hope through Action”.
To help the people of Belfast create hope through action, the Health Improvement Team is hosting this event featuring series of workshops and activities at 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre. To book a place click the links below.
These cover a range of themes related to improving your mental health including:
Come and hear about the surprising science behind why nature can help improve our mental health and some practical ways we can integrate nature more into our lives.
Learn how movement can help us nurture kindness towards ourselves. In this session we will explore through gentle movement, breathing and mindful awareness what it means and how it feels to cultivate self-compassion.
Discover the connection between food and mood with Mags Johnston of Discover You NI. Mags will explore the growing body of evidence supporting the link between our mood and what we eat.
Experiment and create your own Zentangle artwork with pen and colour in this workshop led by Arts Care Artist in Residence, Beth McComish.
Sharon and Sian from The Conservation Volunteers will help you create your own keyring or coaster using clay impressions of native leaves and wildflowers painted with watercolours.
Drop-In Activities – All 10am to 5pm
A range of drop in activities will be running from 10am to 5pm – no registration necessary, just pop in and get involved!
- Add your song to the Hope Playlist
Tell us which song makes you feel hopeful and why. Your song choices will be added to our “Hope Playlist” that will be playing on the day. Read about other people’s song choices and be inspired!
- Help Create our Giant Artwork
Anyone will be welcome to contribute to an art piece on the theme of hope that will be created on the day. All materials will be provided.
- Learn About Support Available
Many of us experience difficulties with our mental health. You’ll be able to pick up information on services available across the City if you feel that you need help.
- Enrol with the Recovery College
Belfast Recovery College run a huge range of courses on topics related to mental health and emotional wellbeing; all available free of charge. Meet staff from the College, browse the prospectus and sign up for courses at their information stand.
- Explore Books that can Improve your Mental Health
You’ll be able to browse a range of both fiction and non-fiction books that can improve your mental health at the Libraries NI information stand. You can also find out what’s on at your local library – a range of free events to promote wellbeing are run at Libraries across the City.
All events are free of charge and any materials required are provided. Workshops are for anyone aged 16 and over while drop-in activities are open to all ages.