MIDLOTHIAN Council’s ‘More Equal Midlothian Week’ runs from Monday 4 March and finishes with the spectacular Midlothian Wellbeing Mela on Sunday 10 March.
Organised in partnership with various local organisations working on equalities issues, the week will include a wide range of events that aim to promote a more equal Midlothian and celebrate diversity.
In this, the inaugural year for the week, the programme will feature a whole host of informative and fun free activities organised by various agencies including: new age curling for all ages and abilities; a wacky women’s walk event in Vogrie park and a seminar seeking to dispel myths about migration.
Arts related events on equality themes feature prominently in the programme. Mental health charity, Health in Mind, has arranged drama, crafts and dance workshops.
Simon Miller, Midlothian Wellbeing interventions network co-ordinator based at the charity’s Orchard Centre Services in Bonnyrigg, said:
“Senior art and mental health development worker, Emily Steedman, has organised a fun, creative workshop using games and some drama exercises to explore the themes of equality, identity and diversity.
“Some members of the Life in Progress (LIP) Theatre Group will also give a short performance, highlighting some of the key issues surrounding the themes.”
The workshop takes place at Bonnyrigg Public Hall on Monday 4 March from 2.30 to 4pm and is open to adults of all ages and no previous experience is needed.
Emily is also leading two fun crafts workshops which will use art and craft materials to explore the Equality, Identity and Diversity themes.
“Everyone attending will receive help to create small pieces of work that reflect who they are and how they see themselves as part of the diverse Midlothian community”, said Simon.
The Crafts Workshops are open to all ages with materials provided and are on Tuesday 5 March at Dalkeith Library from 5 until 6.30pm and on Thursday 7 March at Bonnyrigg Library from 2 until 2.30pm.
Catherine Wright is hosting Movement Medicine on Monday 4 March at Bonnyrigg Public Hall from 12.45 until 2.15pm
“Movement Medicine is a dance practice open to everyone, whatever their age or size or level of fitness,” said Simon.
“Catherine tells us that it awakens the Dancer that is in each of us and quite simply, the bigger our feelings are, the stronger our dancer needs to be.
“The strength of the Dancer lies in becoming more and more aware of what is going on in our bodies.”
The events organised by Health in Mind are free. For more information please contact Emily Steedmanon 0131 663 1616 or email emily@health-in-mind.org.uk.
The week will end with the Wellbeing Mela in Loanhead Miners Welfare on 10 March (1.00pm-5.00pm). This free fun family event is a day for everyone featuring artists from diverse ethnic backgrounds, wellbeing workshops, exciting children’s activities and delicious food.
For more information about the ‘More Equal Midlothian Week’ and the Midlothian Wellbeing Mela visit www.midlothian.gov.uk/equal-midlothian or contact Margaret Petrie on 0131 271 3449 or Anika Wycislik on 07760753031
ENDS
For further information contact:
Doreen Graham, Health in Mind Communications Manager on 0131 243 0137 or
Simon Miller, MWIN Coordinator on 0131 663 3522.
Notes for editors:
LIP Theatre is a group of people who meet monthly in Edinburgh and use theatre to explore issues of discrimination and stigma around mental health issues.
Catherine Wright has been dancing and studying for 12 years with Susannah and Ya’Acov Darling Khan, the founders of Movement Medicine.
You could find out more about Susannah and Ya’Acov and Movement Medicine at www.schoolofmovementmedicine.com
And you can check out Movement Medicine in Edinburgh on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Movement-Medicine-in-Edinburgh/226353850790018
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Health in Mind. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Doreen Graham
Phone: 01312430137
Email: doreen@health-in-mind.org.uk
Website: http://www.midspace.co.uk
