A community project is looking for volunteers to create an original Welsh language drama about mental health in contemporary Wales.
The Bangor, Gwynedd based project aims to create and stage a drama about mental health produced by people with direct experience of mental health problems.
The project is funded by Time to Change Wales and aims to stage the production in October to coincide with Mental Health Week Wales.
Project leader Aled G Jôb of Y Felinheli said
“I’m looking for individuals who would be prepared to draw upon their own experiences to cooperate with like-minded individuals to write this drama”
“The drama’s content will be decided by the group but we want to create something that has important things to say about mental health in our society today, in light of the increases we’ve seen in mental health problems over the last years.”
“I think that coming together in this way to write about our experiences and present them to the public as a drama will be beneficial for those of us who live with mental health conditions – and a way of raising awareness of mental health among others in society.”
The discussion and scripting sessions will be held in Y Felin Sgwrsio, Y Felinheli’s community centre, which is conveniently located on the high street in the centre of the village.
Previous experience of drama is not required in order to take part in the project and Dafydd Williams of Red Button Theatre will be offering artistic assistance during the writing process.
Sara Powys, who leads Time to Change Wales’ community work, said:
“We’re really proud to be supporting this exciting project in Gwynedd. Starting conversations within Welsh speaking communities about mental health is so important if we are to reduce the stigma that still exists. Mental health problems affect one in four of us, so being able to talk about it is important for every community and family. This drama is a creative way of bringing people together to do just that”
The group's next meeting will be on Thursday June 12. If you’d like to attend or hear more about the project, you can contact Aled via Time to Change Wales.