A GROUP of refugee and asylum-seeking women in a Scottish city are using creativity and community to promote mental health.
An art workshop was recently hosted at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art, where the women created art that organisers say reflects their personal journeys and "the strength found in community".
The women are participants in projects by charity Mental Health Foundation, which aim to support the mental health and wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as supporting them within their new communities.
Menesia Keister (below), who moved to Glasgow from Namibia in 2019 and currently works as a carer, is one of the individuals who took part in the workshop.
"The people are genuinely patient, caring and kind, and I’ve made lots of good friends here. People from Glasgow are always happy to help.”
She added: “The Mental Health Foundation projects are like a home away from home. I can express my feelings there. I feel safe to share my thoughts and ideas. If it wasn’t for Mental Health Foundation I would have really struggled.”
Meanwhile, Ghizala Avan, senior programmes manager at Mental Health Foundation, said: "We’d like to say a huge thanks to the women for giving their talent and time to create these beautiful artworks representing community.
"Community has great power to support good mental health and wellbeing by providing us with a sense of belonging, safety, support, and purpose.”
She added: “Through creative projects like these, we are reminded that mental health thrives when people come together, uplift one another, and build meaningful connections. As people move between places, leaving behind familiar communities and finding new ones, it becomes even more important for communities to be open, welcoming, and supportive of newcomers.”
The women's work was also turned into limited edition tote bags and postcards that raise money to fund future projects to improve mental health.
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