Free live concert to mark World Mental Health Day in the Western Isles

The first free ‘Sounds in the Town’ live acoustic event will be held in Stornoway next month to mark World Mental Health Day.

Organised by NHS Western Isles in partnership with Western Isles Nu-music Trust, the concert will feature established singer/songwriter Miss IrenieRose, critically acclaimed artist Panda Su, and fiddle player Jane Hepburn, who was voted Best Local Performer on the Hebridean Celtic Festival’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Top band (fronted by local musician Willie Campbell), The Open Day Rotation, will headline the event.

The concert will take place on Thursday October 10 in An Lanntair, Stornoway, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance from the An Lanntair Box Office. The event is open to over 14s (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult) and everyone is welcome.

The concert is the headline event to mark Scottish Mental Health Week, which takes place from October 7 to 13.

Every year mental health organisations and NHS services celebrate this week with events and activities to raise awareness of mental health, draw in new supporters and celebrate the achievements of the past 12 months.

In the run up to Mental Health Week, a Vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance will take place on October 1 from 7.30pm in Hebrides Dance and Wellbeing Studio. This session will include infectious beats, upbeat tunes and old fashioned fun.

On the first day of Mental Health Week (October 7), a ‘Big Sing – Reminiscence Event’ will be held at the Grianan Centre in Stornoway at 1.30pm. Anyone with dementia, or carers of people with dementia, are encouraged to attend. All are welcome.

Random Acts of Kindness

In addition to the ‘Sounds in the Town’ event on Mental Health Day, Thursday October 10 will be a day of ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ in the Western Isles. On this day, in particular, people are encouraged to take time to do good for others – as the saying goes, it is better to give than to receive.

We want as many people as possible to join in across the Western Isles. Take a moment to do something nice for others and improve your own wellbeing at the same time. Schools and colleges across the Western Isles are pledging to take part and we hope you will consider carrying out an act or two of your own.

Share your kindness ideas and stories for others to see at:

Twitter: @NHSWI using hashtag #WIRAK

https://www.facebook.com/NHSWesternIsles

An Lanntair, in partnership with NHS Western Isles Mental Health Occupational Therapy service and Catch 23 drop in centre, will be holding creative workshops in video editing on October 10. Participants on the group will select different video clips, and will arrange them in a unique order, adding text and effects, before screening them at An Lanntair at 3pm. Members of the public are welcome to come along to the screening.

Join us in raising awareness of mental health in the Western Isles; we look forward to seeing you at events and hearing about all the Random Acts of Kindness!