Headspace Showcase

Orkney Blide Trust is a mental health charity in Orkney, offering support to anyone with experience of mental ill health

Orkney Blide Trust received funding from the See Me Anti-Stigma Arts Fund to hold their second Headspace Showcase. A full day event showcasing the creative talents of Blide Members, open to the public.

This year’s event had at least 30 members involved in some capacity, whether performing or involved in the logistics. This year they almost doubled their audience to around 70 people which indicates that they are reaching more individuals in the Orkney community with the work they do.

Project lead Craig Nisbet reflected:

There was one individual who had taken part in the creative writing workshop who had given one of her pieces to a staff member to read on her behalf. On the day she chose to read another piece herself, standing up from the crowd to do so. This was a huge surprise for all involved in her support. A lot of our members really struggle with anxiety and to see how many were willing to participate in the workshops and present some of their lived, and ongoing, struggles to an audience was both surprising and encouraging. Audience and wider community response was very encouraging as well and many stayed after the end to speak with or compliment performers.