As we leap in to 2024, with lots of exciting plans for this year's activities, it is always good to take a moment of reflection. What a year we had last year with the 2023 Feel Good Festival; More than 3000 engagements across the programme made it our best year yet, and we were delighted to receive civic recognition alongside partners Lochwinnoch Arts Festival from Renfrewshire Council. Here are some of the highlights including some great photography.
Our Feel Good Fortnight programme was a hit and there was a real buzz over the two weeks which saw a wide range of activities and as usual, offered something for everyone. We were so grateful to digital agency Bright Signals which produced our new-look design work. The flyers looked great.
The fortnight ran from 4th - 17th September and we extended the number of partners we work with; This time we were able to offer foraging walks and fermenting talks; The Art & Earth Collective, Art Trail was a great addition. The menopause workshops were really popular too.
We ran a 14 day programme of free movement and breathing classes which lots of people got involved in. The warm weather at the start of the programme allowed these mostly to take place outside and included Tai Chi; Pilates; Various types of yoga including Thai Hermit Yoga lead by Master Tan; Connected Movement classes with Jane Simpson; And an online Pranayama class with Ivonne Payne, practicing Uyaii breathing.
The Feel Good Family Day was a great success and many people found their way to Lochwinnoch park to enjoy entertainment, food and stalls with great performances by local bands including local samba band Bloco Winnoch. We also hosted a Capoeira workshop with Glasgow Capoeira, which has led to a more recent series of well attended classes for kids. St Vincent's Hospice ran a kilo sale and Music Broth and ReMode were there running workshops; There were a wide range of community organisations with stalls and Paisley Community Circus came along as well. Lots of people enjoyed our Storytelling and Therapy Tents and our free Soundbath too; This event was a great way to bring people together and build community.
Photo credits to our amazing photographers Zul Bhatia, Jacqui Quigg and Open Aye.
Saturday 16th was a busy day with our Wellbeing Fair in the morning followed by a great night of fun at LOCHstock and an Arts Festival gig as well. Master Tan and his students visited again from across Europe. Their hard working Team together with local therapists gave free massage taster treatments at the McKillop and we had lots of great stalls. Many people enjoyed the workshops in confidence building, soundbaths and yoga. We even hosted a shamanic workshop.