Mental Health Arts NI MHANI

05/09/2026

An excellent opportunity to celebrate the power of laughter & comedy upon our Mental Health & Well being.Laughter really is the best medicine Congratulations to all participating in this event.
From all at Mental Health Arts NI MHANI

LAUGHING MATTERS 2026

📅 9–11 October | The Playhouse

Three days. Seven events. Five free events. And some seriously funny people.
Laughing Matters 2026 is a comedy festival exploring the power of laughter to bring people together, spark conversations and support healthier, happier communities.

Across the weekend, we’ll be mixing live comedy, comedy writing, panel discussions, new work and conversations around health and wellbeing — looking at everything from mental health and neurodiversity to communication, community and everyday life.

And we’ve already got a brilliant line-up of comics joining us, including Micky Bartlett, Bronagh Diamond, Tommy McCarthy, Fintan Harvey, Peter E Davidson and Darren McCay, with more comedians still to be announced.

There’s something for comedy fans, aspiring writers, curious minds and anyone who simply enjoys a good laugh. And with five free events, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

From our live comedy panel show Sweeten the Pill, to The Best Medicine, The Great Pagliacci, new writing and our closing Diagnosis: Comedy discussion, Laughing Matters is about having a laugh while making space for some important conversations too.

Come along, join the conversation and, most importantly, have a laugh.

👉 Find the full programme and book your tickets: https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on

HERE for Arts & Culture What's on Derry Strabane Derry Journal Derry Now

04/09/2026

Mental Health Arts NI MHANI welcome Volunteers to join us for our Poetry in the Park on Oct 3rd.Our Volunteers are at the heart of what we do.Come join us for a few hours in Crescent Gardens Park,beside Crescent Arts Centre. Help us celebrate our green spaces & our wellbeing,creatively with poetry & art featuring awardwinning poets artists & performers.

Our Poetry in the Park 2026 is returning to Crescent Gardens Park on Saturday 3rd October, and we're looking for friendly
volunteers to support us make our day special. Help us welcome those with an interest in poetry,creativity & well being celebrate the outdoors.Our day begins between 9.30am and continues to 5pm, with opportunities
to get involved throughout the event.We look forward to you joining us. Please register your interest through Volunteer Now www.volunteernow.co.uk.

02/09/2026

We at Mental Health Arts NI MHANI are looking forward to you joining us for our dedicated Poetry In the Park event Oct 3rd 10.30am to 5pm.
We have an excellent line up of awardwinning poets,artists & performers.
- Moyra Donaldson
- Anne Mc Master
- Niamh Mc Nally
- Rónán Hasson
- Corrina Askin
- Shadé Mowat.
Introducing you to Askin awardwinning artist illustrator & facilator who will be joining us working with children & young people seeking & sourcing nourishment for their own creativity from their observations of nature & Crescent Gardens.
We are thrilled to be joined by Shadé Mowat - singer, songwriter, performer & curator of The Listening Rooms.
We are looking to you joining us as we celebrate Poetry in the Park,promote our green spaces,
creativity and well being through Poetry & Art featuring Guest Poets & Artists.
We hope you can join us.

28/08/2026

An excellent opportunity for fellow artists & creatives in
Waterside Women's Centre

27/08/2026

Health Arts NI formerly known as Mental Health Arts NI MHANI are delighted to welcome applications for a
Programmes and Administration Manager for
Mental Health Arts Northern Ireland.

●●●●Closing extended to Fri 11th September 2024 at 4:00pm●●●●

Job Role: Senior Management

Salary: £18,720 annually, for 24 hours per week (£31,200 for full-time equivalent)

Hours per week: 24

The Programmes and Administration Manager of MHANI (formerly Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF), will lead a team that may be composed of volunteers, freelance creative professionals and event coordinators. You will be involved in every aspect of collaboration from project development to delivery, general programming and the overall artistic vision and development of the organisation.
During the project(s), the Programmes and Administration Manager will supervise and guide copywriters, artists, web and print designers to create promotional materials. a
The Programmes and Administration Manager will work within a budget and have experience of preparing and submitting funding applications. You will be supported by and will report to the MHA NI Board.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will work independently, using their professional expertise to manage the day-to-day organisation of
MHANI community projects and overseeing the organisation of our annual festival and symposia. You will liaise with the Board regarding key decision making.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will have the ability to work well under pressure as they will manage diverse teams working on multiple projects/events.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will have a clear vision of how they will deliver the MHANI’s message in a way that speaks directly to programme participants.
Our creative programmes take place across Northern Ireland and has links nationally and internationally.You will have opportunities to travel and meet other professionals in the CAH sector. The Programmes and Administration Manager will represent the MHANI at events and attend CAH sector meetings.

Closing Date
Thursday 10th September 2026 at 4:00pm

Interviews: Thursday 24th September 2026
Contact Details
[email protected]
NB Please use this email address to request an application pack.

www.mhani.org
This post is supported by National Lottery Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Baring Foundation

27/08/2026

Mental Health Arts NI MHANI are delighted to announce our next ▪︎FREE EVENT▪︎ Poetry in the Park Oct 3rd 10.30am to 5pm at Crescent Gardens,located between Botanic Ave.and lower part of University Road,South Belfast beside Crescent Arts Centre.

●We are warmly welcoming families & arts & poetry enthusiasts, amongst others to a day of celebrating our green spaces,nature, and the art of poetry & spoken word with our awardwinning Guest Artists & Poets :
▪︎Corrina Askin - Guest Artist
▪︎Moyra Donaldson - Guest Poet
▪︎Anne Mc Master -Guest Poet
▪︎Niamh Mc Nally-Guest Poet ▪︎Rónán Hasson - Guest Poet
▪︎Shadé Mowat -
Guest Singer Songwriter

We are celebrating Poets, Irish,English & Ulster Scots.

●Poetry in the Park is a celebration of our green spaces. Oct 3rd the Northern Ireland Mental Health Festival welcomes all ages to come explore Crescent Gardens Park and discover the positive power of poetry and parks! With family fun activities, workshops, and poetry readings we are sure this day will leave you inspired.

The NI Mental Health Arts Festival aims to challenge the stigma associated with mental health by using art as a catalyst for change. We believe it is important to celebrate our creativity & self expression and highlight the role of nature and the arts play in creating positive mental health.
We are indebted to Arts Council of Northern Ireland & The Baring & Belfast City Council for their support as principal funders.Our thanks to Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's & Crescent Arts Centre for their ongoing collaboration & support.
Looking forward to sharing details of how to get involved.

24/08/2026

Mental Health Arts NI formerly known as NI Mental Health Arts Festival are delighted to welcome applications for a
Programmes and Administration Manager for
Mental Health Arts Northern Ireland.

Closing: Fri. 11th September 2024 at 4:00pm

Job Role: Senior Management

Salary: £18,720 annually, for 24 hours per week (£31,200 for full-time equivalent)

Hours per week: 24

The Programmes and Administration Manager of MHANI (formerly Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF), will lead a team that may be composed of volunteers, freelance creative professionals and event coordinators. You will be involved in every aspect of collaboration from project development to delivery, general programming and the overall artistic vision and development of the organisation.
During the project(s), the Programmes and Administration Manager will supervise and guide copywriters, artists, web and print designers to create promotional materials. a
The Programmes and Administration Manager will work within a budget and have experience of preparing and submitting funding applications. You will be supported by and will report to the MHA NI Board.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will work independently, using their professional expertise to manage the day-to-day organisation of
MHANI community projects and overseeing the organisation of our annual festival and symposia. You will liaise with the Board regarding key decision making.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will have the ability to work well under pressure as they will manage diverse teams working on multiple projects/events.

The Programmes and Administration Manager will have a clear vision of how they will deliver the MHANI’s message in a way that speaks directly to programme participants.
Our creative programmes take place across Northern Ireland and has links nationally and internationally.You will have opportunities to travel and meet other professionals in the CAH sector. The Programmes and Administration Manager will represent the MHANI at events and attend CAH sector meetings.

Closing Date
Fri 11th September 2026 at 4:00pm

Interviews: Thursday 24th September 2026
Contact Details
[email protected]
NB Please use this email address to request an application pack.

www.mhani.org
This post is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Baring Foundation.

23/08/2026