Tynepark Multi-Media Group

At Tynepark, drama has been used very successfully to promote and raise awareness of the importance of positive mental health as well as tackling issues of stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health. Some of the members of the Tynepark Multi-Media Group share their experiences below.

  We are a group of service users based at Tynepark Mental Health Resource Centre in Haddington. We write scripts based on our life experiences using humour to highlight the many facets of mental health.
 We perform our plays for service user groups, voluntary organisations, employers and mental health practitioners in and around East Lothian. Previous productions have included “On The Road to Recovery”, “Stigma – John’s Journey” and “Pure Dead Mental”.
 Recently we were invited to perform a short extract from our most recent production, “See You Jimmy” for the Social Care Council at Carberry Tower. The performance was a great success, giving rise to comments such as

• “ …wanted to drop you a short note to say how wonderful the group were.”
• “ …sketches which were very professional, humorous and really moving.”
• “...it was a real privilege and joy to have you visit … and to present some of your work”
• “The issues which you highlighted were serious issues presented in a challenging and thought-provoking way.”

The group have, for the first time, taken a show - "See You Jimmy" - to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They completed 5 performances at Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens in August 2010 to great acclaim.