Mikeysline ambassadors Dave Rogers, Siobhan Mackenzie, Callum Beattie and CEO, Emily Stokes    Picture: Calum Mackay

A Black Isle designer who is no stranger to star endorsements notched another first at Belladrum for a cause close to her heart.

Siobhan Mackenzie is used to being sought out by celebrities looking for some classy razzle dazzle when they take to the stage for high profile events in Scotland.

But when she handed over a kilt to fellow Mikeysline Ambassador at Belladrum, it was to raise the profile of Mikeysline who they both champion.

Siobhan, who was raised on the Black Isle, explained: “I have designed Mikeysline their own tartan as a donation to the charity.

“The design is focused around their key message of ‘bee the change’ implementing black and yellow bumblebee stripes into the aesthetic of the tartan.

“The aim is that when people wear the tartan it ignites a conversation around Mikeysline and the amazing work they are doing in suicide prevention and there will be a product launch coming soon for the public.”

Callum, who is also an ambassador, unveiled the tartan wearing the first ever Mikeysline kilt on stage at Belladrum where he also released the video to his new single, which is in support of Mikeysline.

Added Siobhan: “I’m thrilled to work with both Mikeysline and Callum on this project and help champion the fantastic and vital work they do.”

Mikeysline chief executive officer Emily Stokes said: “We are absolutely delighted with our own Mikeysline tartan designed by our extremely talented ambassador Siobhan Mackenzie and we now have a range of merchandise in this design.

“Our first kilt made from this stunning tartan was always going to be for Callum Beattie and there was no more fitting occasion for this to be premiered than at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival!

“What made it even more special for us, however, was that Callum came onto the stage in his new kilt and sang ‘Something in my Eye’, his latest single, which will be released shortly in support of Mikeysline.

“This rounded off an amazing time at Belladrum for us at Mikeysline, with hugely important conversations over the three days with people and great support for our charity.”

Scottish musical sensation and newly appointed ambassador of Mikeysline, Callum Beattie, is due to premiere the video for his new single ‘Something in my eye’ on Saturday evening in support of the Highland mental health and suicide prevention charity. 

To be Debuted at this year’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival, a percentage of profits made from sales of the single is set to be generously donated to Mikeysline to help further fund the organisation’s work across the Highlands, Islands and Moray. 

Emily Stokes, CEO of Mikeysline, commented: “To say we are incredibly grateful to Callum and his manager Dave, for this unique and truly wonderful act would be an understatement.  

“‘Something in my eye’ is a beautiful song that I know will resonate with many people who are feeling the impact of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. It touches on so much of what we do day-by-day in our support and we hope it will share the message that it’s ok not to be ok.” 

The single’s formal launch date will be late August, but Belladrum attendees are in for a treat with the premiere of the song and accompanying video on Saturday evening at 7.30pm on the Main stage at Belladrum. 

Callum Beattie shared: “I am very proud to be an ambassador for Mikeysline and I’m a huge champion of all that they do across the Highlands, Islands and Moray in supporting those who are struggling with mental health. 

“This song has been in the works for a while now and I really wanted it to be just right, that’s why my team and I have been working to pull out all the stops to help share the message that you are not alone and it’s ok not to be ok. 

“I have often used my songwriting as a way to understand and communicate my own feelings, whether they be happy or sad – the process of putting pen to paper and finding that perfect melody is incredibly therapeutic.” 

Callum, alongside manager Dave Rogers, was appointed as a Mikeysline ambassador in March this year, vowing to play his part in championing the organisation’s work across the region, including its most recent ‘Bee the Change’ campaign aimed at challenging the current dialogue and stigmas surrounding mental health and suicide.

 Further information on the formal release date of the single will follow.

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands, Islands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000, messenger and via its website and live chat.

 The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide; provides support for businesses; works closely with teachers and pupils in schools across the north of Scotland; and offers face-to-face support in Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, and in Alness, Nairn, Tain, Balintore, Portmahomack, Thurso and shortly also in Elgin.. Here, service users can engage in one-to-one support, or at some venues  join in group sessions for adults, men, families and young people.

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok

By Val Sweeney, Inverness Courier

A Highland mental health charity has relocated to a new base in Inverness city centre as its work continues to expand.

Mikeysline set up its Hive drop-in centre in Academy Street seven years ago

It has now moved the short distance to 4 Strothers Lane where it will continue to provide services in premises more suitable to its needs.

The suicide prevention charity, which was founded in 2015 following the tragic deaths of good friends, Martin Shaw and Michael Williamson within 48 hours of each other, was the first text support line in the UK.

It originally used just one mobile phone which was passed around volunteers in Inverness.

As well as providing a lifeline for those experiencing thoughts of depression, anxiety, stress and suicide, its work has expanded to include awareness-raising campaigns such as Bee the Change, which aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

Local businesses and volunteers helped the grassroots charity make the move to its new premises by providing labour as well as materials such as carpet tiles, shelving and paint.

It has also included the relocation of a mural from the previous centre plus the creation of a brand new one.

Mikeysline chief executive Emily Stokes said the new base will provide a welcoming environment for all those who have cause to use the service.

“We are absolutely delighted after seven years at our original Hive in Academy Street to be able to move to a new Hive and office base more suitable to our current needs, whilst also ensuring improved visibility, which ties in with our Bee the Change campaign and challenging stigma,” she said.

“Our fundamental aim has been to create a calm, relaxing and welcoming environment within our new Hive for the wellbeing of our service users, volunteers and staff as well as other visitors to our Hive.

“Our aim at Mikeysline is never to forget where we came from, our story and our grass roots are still as relevant today as they were back in 2015 and always will be as they continually remind us why we are here, what our focus needs to be and why we need to keep on finding new and additional ways to reach and support people.”

In line with this, they had brought a bit of the old Hive with them in the form of the charity’s well known mural while also ensuring a new mural which would help to make their new surroundings even brighter and more positive feeling was also.

“Our move to our new Hive has only been possible due to the tremendous ongoing support that we receive from our Highland community, which we are so grateful for and for all the generosity from a huge range of businesses who helped us to get the new building up and running this week,” Ms Stokes said.

Speaking more widely she also took the chance to urge people to remember that it was always okay not to be okay and to not be afraid of reaching out for help at any time it is needed.

“Mikeysline is here for everyone, no matter what the issue, no matter how big or small,” she said.

“Please reach out if you need any support.”

Mikeysline can be contacted by texting 07786207755. Further information can also be found at Mikeysline.

New Look Extend Mikeysline Charity Partnership into 2023

UK retailers New Look have announced Mikeysline as their official Charity Partners for their Northern Scotland branches for 2023, after a successful year of fundraising for them in 2022.

New Look Retailers Ltd raised £12,154 in 2022 for Mikeysline from a variety of staff-organised fundraisers throughout the year including fashions shows, facepainting, and events with Anytime Fitness Gym, Revolution bar and restaurant, and other local companies. New Look have also prominently displayed Mikeysline’s posters and information across their units in the North of Scotland, and kept collection tins available at checkouts for their customers to make donations, too. Every penny has helped contribute to bringing in over £1000 a month for Mikeysline in one calendar year.

Mikeysline (SC046574) provides text-based support via a range of platforms during evenings and weekends for people across the Highlands and Moray struggling with their mental health, or at risk of self-harm and suicide. The charity also provides one-to-one in-person support, as well as collaborating with schools and workforces to provide mental health awareness sessions, workshop and direct 1:1 support every week in some of the secondary schools. The Highlands has the highest suicide rate per population of any UK region, with all age groups being higher than Scotland’s national average. With 50% of mental health problems forming by age 14, Mikeysline’s mission is to support all people of all ages and genders across the Highlands and Moray.

Katie Melville, Fundraising Manager of Mikeysline, said: “Mikeysline has benefited hugely from the support of New Look in 2022 through their fundraisers, making our contact information available to their customers, and generally raising awareness of our presence in the Highlands and Moray. £12,154 total is a brilliant amount that will go a long way in helping us support those across the north of Scotland struggling with their mental health. The team at New Look have been so engaged with us and really good fun to work with, especially in the Inverness Eastgate Centre unit, and I was delighted when they invited Mikeysline to remain their charity partner for another year. We’re looking forward to having another successful year of fundraising and promotion with them!”

Sue Fairley, Head of Sourcing, Sustainability and Quality at New Look, said:
“New Look are delighted to be working with Mikeysline. We are channeling our efforts to partner with local charities this year and we will give our resources to raise awareness, and support fundraising to help support the communities we are a part of in the Scotland region. This is part of our Kind To Our Core commitments.”

Mikeysline Official Charity of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023

Grassroots mental health and suicide prevention charity Mikeysline is announced as the official charity partner of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023. Mikeysline will be working with the festival to highlight their services to festivalgoers, artists, and others in the Belladrum community, and raise much-needed funds for their work to support as many people in crisis and in need of mental health support as possible across the Highlands and Moray.

The charity will maintain a high profile at the festival next summer to be on hand for attendees who would like to donate, get more information about Mikeysline, or take a break from the crowds and excitement to speak with support staff and volunteers who will be on the ground to assist.

Katie Melville, Fundraising Manager for Mikeysline said: “We are delighted to be the official charity of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023. Belladrum is a cultural cornerstone event in the Highlands; music holds a unique power to create communities, share joy, inspire hope, and even save lives. What a perfect way for Mikeysline to reach people with our message: it’s ok not to be ok, we are here to help, and there is hope for everyone. The festival partnership is a vital opportunity for our growth as a charity to help us support more people across our part of the world as demand increases for Mikeysline’s services. I am pleased to confirm that we will have our trained volunteers in place at the festival for anyone who wants to talk or seek some support there and then or arrange to pop in to one of our Hives across the Highlands in the future. I am so excited to start organising events and activities in the build-up to the festival next summer.”

Emily Stokes, CEO of Mikeysline said “We are thrilled that Belladrum has asked Mikeysline to be their charity partner for the 2023 festival. The funds raised will help us to expand our face-to-face support, partnerships with businesses, clubs and with schools which will encourage both adults and young people to talk about mental health openly and break down the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. It is also an important opportunity for us to get Mikeysline’s name out there to festivalgoers who may not have heard about us before- we are here to help everyone. And we hope the weather behaves, too!”

Dougie Brown, Belladrum Festival Event Producer, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Mikeysline as our official 2023 Charity. The work they carry out across the Highlands is more important than ever. We hope that this partnership will not only help raise much-needed funds, but also raise awareness of the incredible work they carry out across the region.”

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival will be held from Thursday 27th – Saturday 30th July 2023. Tickets go on sale on Monday 15th August 2022 and are available online at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.