NORTH Ayrshire will host a variety of events as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.

Established in 2007, the annual event is dedicated to mental health, with the programme featuring hundreds of events across a variety of artforms.

This year’s festival will begin on October 1 and end on October 26, where it will have the theme of In/Visible throughout its run.

Councillor Margaret Johnson, cabinet member for health and social care at North Ayrshire Council, said: “Last year saw our first ever North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival, which was a huge success.

"There are some fantastic events lined up again this year, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in organising and delivering these.

“North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership is delighted to be co-ordinating the festival once again, alongside North Ayrshire Council’s Arts and Culture team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Health Improvement Team, TSI North Ayrshire, North Ayrshire Wellbeing and Recovery College and a team of fantastic volunteers."

Darren McGarvey will be a guest at the festival on October 15.Darren McGarvey will be a guest at the festival on October 15. (Image: North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership) Activities on offer include arts and crafts sessions, exhibitions, poetry workshops, a sunrise walk and a community drumming circle.

Comedian Billy Kirkwood will kick off the official launch event on Wednesday, October 9 from 6pm to 8pm at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine.

Highlights of this year’s lineup include ‘To Tell or Not to Tell’, an evening with Darren McGarvey at the HAC on October 15, where he will explore the values and challenges of sharing a lived experience.

The HAC will also host ‘Unvelied Voices’ on October 22 which provides a platform for individuals in mental health recovery to share their poetry and original songs, with guest poets and performers also taking part.

And ‘Scene: Come and Be’ will end the festival at Fullarton ConneXions on October 26 with music, poetry and storytelling on the theme of mental health.

Most events are free to attend, however places must be pre-booked which you can do by visiting https://thehac.co.uk/events.