Steps of Hope Cork

For the month of September, Shine Cork’s exhibit 'Steps of Hope Cork' will be displayed on billboards across the city. 'Steps of Hope Cork' is a collection of creative works by people who have experienced or are on their journey to mental health recovery. The pieces of art and writing express messages and images of hope about something that many people think is not possible - living well with and recovery from severe mental health experiences.

Shine are delighted to offer this exhibition to the people of Cork and all its visitors and hope it encourages them toward their own recovery. Corkonians and visitors to the city are encouraged to walk the 6km route (map also available for download at www.shine.ie from 1st of September).

Ireland has one of the highest rates of mental illness in Europe (ranked 3 out of 36 countries)1 with at least 1 in 4 experiencing a mental health difficulty in their life. Compounding this is the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on people's mental health with almost 60% of people living in Ireland stating it has negatively affected their mental health.

Shine Cork present this exhibit in conjunction with Shine’s See Change Green ribbon launch and include works from our partner agencies, SMART Recovery, Gateway Project, Nasc and Cork Simon Community. This exhibition is a collaboration with Notes to Cork ‘Public Inspiration Panels’ (‘PIPs’) and Test Site on Kyrl’s Quay. This exhibition is made possible through funding from the National Lottery.

Visit Shine.ie and follow Instagram @stepsofhopecork and #stepsofhopecork for updates.

WRAP Workshop Cork

Level 1 WRAP Workshop in Cork, see poster for full details.

10 ways to practice mindfulness

1. Journal-about what you are thinking and feeling in this moment without judgement.

2. Listen to or play music- and really zoom into and feel the rhythm....dance if you want to.

3. Say a positive affirmation or mantra that is kind and compassionate. Repeat it until you believe it.

4. Express gratitude for the things you are grateful for.

5. Stretch or do yoga and notice the sensations in your body.

6. Draw, doodle or colour and focus on the process not the end result.

7. Sit with your emotions and remember that they are like visitors passing through.

8.Unplug from technology and go outside, explore nature, go for a walk, just get some fresh air.

9. Focus on 3 things you see, hear and smell, this will help you feel grounded.

10. JUST BREATHE to return to the here and now.