The big news here is that the project funding has been extended until December 2010. NHS Lothian have agreed to us developing a book with accompanying CD and also holding a big public exhibition in October 2010 to coincide with the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. What fantastic news!!
The other big news is myself and an OMH volunteer are going on a rearch trip to Toronto next week. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from the Canadian experience.
We will be able to see David Reville teaching his Mad Peoples' History course, we will be meeting people who were involved in the Working Like Crazy film which will include visits to the Raging Spoon Cafe and A-Way express, both survivor run businesses.
We will also be visiting the Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, discussing a fascinating exhibition "Out from Under" that Kathryn Church curated. We will be hearing presentations from a range of people, attending a major Canadian mental health conference and we will be presenting about the work OMH has done so far and what we can learn from each other and how we can take this forward.
Another thing I am very excited about is meeting the people who have been involved in archiving the user movement history in Toronto - the Toronto Psychiatric Survivors Archives. This will be a wonderful chance for me to learn how they have recorded thier rich history. Hope to come back full of inspiration!
The Rendevouz with Madness Film Festival is also on when we are there, whch should be good!
One of the group going over is involved with Theatre Workshop, who are developing a script for a film based on the Lothian user movement. Another person is keen to develop a curriculum similar to David's course to be taught here. So we are keen to do all we can to support these exciting developments.
So I will keep you updated on all the news from Canada next week.
Kirsten
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