A wellbeing festival of activities and events has been taking place this week to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.

This year’s national theme is anxiety and the festival features online and offline events to support people’s mental health.

The activities taking place are inclusive, especially of groups such as the LGBT community, women, youth and the elderly, who organisers say “can fall through the cracks in support provisions.”

Savio D’Souza, an East Renfrewshire disability and mental health campaigner and the co-founder of the My Disability Plus action group who are running the festival, told the Barrhead News: “It’s the second year we are having the festival. Last year’s programme reached over 250,000 through social media.

“This year with a better, stronger and more diverse programme we are aiming to do better so please share, support and join in.

“We have been enormously grateful. We have a great team behind the festival as well as so many with lived experience who have given feedback and support to develop the programme.”

The week kicked off on Monday with a managing anxiety workshop on Zoom, which aimed to help those with anxiety issues "better manage the situation and live a full life."

Tomorrow (Friday, May 19) an over 50s soup, sandwich and blether event is taking place from 11am to 1pm to allow people to socialize and connect with others.

On Saturday, meanwhile, a table tennis in the park session has been organised.

This will take place from 2pm to 4pm.

Finally, on Sunday the week will wrap up with a mindfulness session via Zoom from 8pm to 9pm.

“Mental health and well being is often overlooked, added Provost Mary Montague. "The pandemic has highlighted the impact on our health.

“Self care and seeking support is so important. Please take care, self-care and get help and support this week.”

All the events are free but booking is essential and can be done by emailing info@mydisabilityplus.com and indicating the events you wish to attend.

For more information contact Savio on 07968349116.