The team at High Life Highland’s Culloden Library are delighted to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (15th– 21st May), by introducing a new community initiative called Culloden Mind Hub.
High Life Highland’s Network Librarian, Michelle Gowans explains, “We have been able to launch the Mind Hub at Culloden Library with generous support from the Public Library Improvement Fund and Highland Council’s Ward Discretionary Fund (Wards 17 and 19).
“Culloden Mind Hub is a weekly community café with a focus on reducing loneliness and isolation and providing community-based learning activities at no charge, designed to ensure wellness, lifelong-learning and mental stimulation.
Michelle continued, “It will be a welcoming, intergenerational space for connection, learning and personal development – all of which are particularly in demand by communities as post-COVID recovery continues, and the Cost-of-Living Crisis puts pressure on household finances”
The Culloden Mind Hub will launch today (15th May), with a variety of presenters confirmed to be in attendance. Guests include representatives from Highland Mindfulness Group who will lead a movement-based meditation, as well as AlAnon and Mikeysline.
Michelle Gowans concluded, “Weekly activities will range from board games, jigsaws and simple crafts to gentle movement-based sessions and games for all ages. Guest Presenters and Facilitators will also be planned for future sessions, selected according to community interest. Digital literacy will also be a regular focus of future sessions and will provide an opportunity for young people to volunteer to assist others in building their digital skills.
“Culloden Mind Hub will offer a much-needed opportunity to foster emotional and physical well-being within the local community and improve overall mental health.”
According to the Mental Health Foundation, anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems. In its recent mental health survey carried out around stress, anxiety and hopelessness over personal finances; a quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it stopped them from doing the things they want to do some or all of the time, and as many as six in ten adults feel anxious at least some of the time.
Members of the public are invited to attend today’s launch where refreshments will also be served.
