Nature Photography Competition

We’re launching an amateur nature photography competition on Monday, May 10 to coincide with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. All proceeds from the competition, which features a grand prize of original artwork by Highland artist Reina Edmiston, will support Mikeysline as we deliver peer-to-peer support and crisis prevention to those in need across the Highlands.

This competition, which is open to all non-professional photographers, will run for two weeks before closing on Monday May 24. Mikeysline staff will then select one winner to receive the prize of ‘Tidelines’, a painting donated by Highland artist Reina Edmiston.

How To Enter

We’re inviting participants to make a donation of £5 per submission on our JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/MikeyslinePhotoComp. You can then submit your photos either by using the hashtag #MikeyslinePhotoComp when sharing your picture on Instagram and Twitter, or by including your picture in a comment on the Mikeysline Facebook page.

Mikeysline will reopen The Hive on Inverness’ Academy Street on Tuesday, April 27 following temporary closure due to Covid-19.

The Hive is the Highlands’ first out-of-hours mental health support centre, providing free and impartial support for all those who need it. Open seven days a week, the charity offers drop-in sessions from 19:45-21:45 Sunday-Thursday, and until 22:45 on Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments are also available from 18:15-19:30 every day and can be booked by emailing enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk or phoning the Hive on 01463 729 000.

Emily Stokes, service manager at Mikeysline, said:

“The last 12 months have been difficult for so many people, highlighting the need for easily accessible mental health services. We’re delighted to be able to reopen The Hive this month, to provide face-to-face support, listening and guidance to those who need it in our community.

“There are a great many reasons why people may be feeling anxious or depressed, and it’s important to remember that it’s ok not to be ok. In the same way that we need to look after our physical fitness, our mental health also takes work – and we are proud to be here to provide the help and support people need to address any issues they may be facing.

“With The Hive reopening, we’re looking forward to the full rollout of our new young person’s service on a one-to-one basis in the afternoons. We’re also looking forward to meeting in person some of the people who have benefitted from the callback service that we operated throughout lockdown.”

Visits to The Hive will follow all current Covid-19 guidelines to ensure staff, volunteers and the public remain safe at all times. Masks are required to be worn (unless medically exempt) and social distancing measures will be in place throughout the building.

Although unable to provide its full range of face-to-face services during lockdown, Mikeysline offered a nightly callback service allowing people the chance to talk to someone about anything troubling them. The charity has also supported Highlanders with access to crucial appointments and organised one-to-one walks during the winter months.

Emily added: “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from individuals, groups and businesses over what have been a very challenging few months for us. Their fundraising, promotion and participation in our recent fundraiser – Miles for Mikeysline – has been amazing.

“We’re coming out of lockdown in a very strong position, giving us the ability to plan ahead and to look at developing additional support services outwith Inverness. Coupled with our involvement in  co-ordinating the Highland arm of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival alongisde the Clay Studio and Mental Health Awareness Week in May, we have a busy – and rewarding – few months ahead.”

The longest day – fundraiser

Saturday 19th June 2021 is this year’s longest day. When we are feeling low, struggling with different emotions or situations, it can feel like the ‘longest day’. However, our aim is to have an uplifting longest day, one where you get to achieve your goal whilst raising awareness of Mikeysline and if you are able, also raise funds for us.

If you would like to support this Mikeysline’s 2021 cyciling fundraiser, we are asking you to:

Choose your route

Make your challenge

Make it your Longest day

What do you need to do?

The above steps and please consider how you can raise funds for Mikeysline. One option may be to set up a fundraising page on a site such as Justgiving – https://www.justgiving.com/ or another fundraising site that you may be familiar with.

We would love to hear about your plans and your achievements and see your photos, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk should you wish to.

We hope you enjoy your Longest day. Thank you so much for supporting Mikeysline and good luck!

Calling all Artists and Schools

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival is now in its 15th Year.  The theme for this year is ‘Normality’. This year, Mikeysline and The Clay Studio are lead co-ordinators of the Highland Festival with many other Highland third sector organisations involved.  The Festival takes place during the month of May, kicking off on the 1st May with the opening Exhibition at the Bike Shed in Merkinch, with art on display from here and at Eden Court Theatre during May.  A call is now being made for contributions towards the Exhibition

All information on how and what you can contribute towards the Exhibition is detailed in the links below.

Calling all Artists:

https://mikeyslineold.vhostevents.com/application/files/2216/1091/1902/SMHA

Calling all Schools:

https://mikeyslineold.vhostevents.com/application/files/4916/1091/0212/CAL