THURSDAY 14th MAY 2026
Plein Air Open Day
14th May 2026, 10.00am - 13.00pm
ISLAND Arts Centre, BT27 4RL, Lisburn
Meet artist and tutor, Paul Jordan, for a relaxed and welcoming introduction to Plein Air painting and drawing days. In this open day, you will get to know Paul as he walks you through helpful tips and techniques for enhancing your artwork. Together, you’ll get into the great outdoors, as Paul shows you nearby Lisburn landmarks where you’ll be inspired by nature’s beauty and create your own unique paintings or drawings.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: No flashing lights/ loud noises. Venue is equipped with wheelchair access and event will be taking place on the ground floor level.
TICKETS: Free
Art is Collective
14th May 2026, 10.30am - 16.00pm
2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DA
Art is Collective is a group of artists with learning difficulties and mental health issues that meet weekly in 2 Royal Avenue. They emerged out of a Right to create exhibition at Pssquared which asked who has the right to create which developed into Maker mall, a pilot assisted studio in Castlecourt. While some people need extra assistance to develop their creativity this is not always available on a consistent basis. The group have gone from strength to strength, exhibiting in Ulster University, Belfast School of art, 2 Royal Ave and have duo exhibitions in University of A Typical.
Come and see how a weekly art group can be so transformative.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Venue entrance is on flat, even ground. There is an accessible toilet on site and assistance dogs are welcomed. The venue has a sensory dome for those with sensory needs or who need a quiet place.
TICKETS: Free, drop in
In Our Own Words
12th May 2026, 12:00pm - 14:00pm
2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DA
Beyond Personality Differences Northern Ireland (BPD-NI) is a registered charity set up to address the stigma of a specific mental health diagnosis, that of personality disorder, especially borderline personality disorder (known as BPD or EUPD). The members are mainly people with lived experience, and two are professionals who work in a treatment service with people with the diagnostic label. The members of BPD-NI participated in a partnership project with Prime Cut Productions in 2024/25, which was called In My Own Words – Who We Are, along with several other community groups, and all the writing was published in a book.
At the events there will be 4 prose pieces read aloud by their authors, who are members of the charity and poetry pieces by 2 others. One of the poetry readings will be by published poet Courtney Mulholland.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Venue entrance is on flat, even ground. There is an accessible toilet on site and assistance dogs are welcomed. The venue has a sensory dome for those with sensory needs or who need a quiet place.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
Voices with Impact: Mental Health Short Films
14th May 2026, 15.00pm - 17.00pm
he Duncairn Arts Centre, Duncairn Ave, Belfast BT14 6BP
A screening of short films on the topic of mental health produced, funded programmed by Voices With Impact.
Voices With Impact (VWI) is a global mental health film grant and festival. VWI funds stories from all over the world and uses them to create social emotional learning programs for young people. VWI Director, Chris Hyde, who acts as Executive Producer on each film will be in attendance to discuss the impact short film can have for mental health. Chris will also present the VWI grant and take questions.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: The Duncairn is wheelchair accessible with automatic doors. There is step-free access to the ground floor and cafe. The performance space can be accessed using a lift. We welcome assistance dogs in the venue and cafe.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
T4T B2B Community Mix
14th May 2026, 18.00pm - 23.00pm
Oh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street, Belfast, BT1 2LG
T4TB2B presents a queer Open Decks night for Mental Health Arts NI Festival, offering a relaxed social space for Belfast’s queer and FLINTA communities to perform without pressure.
Organised by local DJs who have created their own space to belong, this is a night for those yearning for community, creative expression and queer euphoria through our shared love of music.
Sign-ups pre-allocated for comfortable set times with an equipment run-through on the night, no prior experience required! Whether you want to boost your confidence, support a friend or discover new connections, you’ll find your space to mix & mingle here.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: The Oh Yeah Music Centre has step-free access and consists of one floor. All toilets are gender neutral and accessible. There will be loud noises and flashing lights in use throughout the night.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
A Derry Queer Open Mic — ADQOM
14th May 2026, 18.00pm - 20.00pm
The Playhouse, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry-Londonderry, BT48 6RG
ADQOM, or A Derry Queer Open Mic, is a new open mic for all kinds of performance and all kinds of queer performers. It is a free, sober event that is held bi-monthly (by one bisexual, and one trans gay).
Alex Cregan and Isaac Quinn (the organisers and hosts of the night) are two queer creatives with a dream, a vision, and the same therapist.
ADQOM is a night that brings together a wide diversity of artistic voices, giving everyone (new, emerging or established) a space to experiment, share and belong. It is a welcoming, chaotic, safe space where failures are applauded.
Sign-ups will be available on the night, but if you want to be extra prepared, email us at derryqueeropenmic@gmail.com - use it to give us a vibe of your performance, as well as its rough run time (10 mins maximum).
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Venue has automatic doors. There are no steps into the building. There are a few steps up to our area, but a lift is also available. The stage is on a small platform, but a roving mic is available. The venue has a quiet space. Event may be loud as microphones are used by performers and hosts throughout. The event has a flexible seating plan, leaving space for wheelchairs, rollators, canes, etc.
Sober event, non-alcoholic drinks are available. Content warnings will be requested and provided for potentially triggering material. For any other access questions, contact derryqueeropenmic@gmail.com
TICKETS: Free, drop in
The Poetry of Belonging
14th May 2026, 19.00pm - 21.00pm
Zoom, gain access via booking tickets
This workshop is an introduction to poetry therapy, which is a therapeutic approach that uses poems and other forms of written and spoken language to promote personal growth and self-awareness. We will read and write poems about belonging and home.
Both facilitators, Shelley Tracey and Maria Ortega Gracia, are qualified Poetry Therapy Practitioners, and members of the Irish Poetry Therapy Network. The workshop will include individual and group writing activities. You will also find out about the Irish Poetry Therapy Network and how poetry therapy can support your creativity, self-expression and wellbeing. This workshop is suitable for writers of all levels of experience. Sharing your words will be optional. This workshop will be a safe, relaxed space, with no judgement or critique of writing.
Please note: while reading and writing poems can be therapeutic, this is not a therapy session.
Please bring along:
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paper and pen
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a picture of a place where you feel a sense of belonging
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Participants will be able to access transcripts. Using video and making contributions is optional. One of the facilitators will be available for other support via chat (private message)
TICKETS: Pay what you can
Father Mother Sister Brother
14th May 2026, 19.00pm
Nerve Centre Cinema Magazine Street Derry-Londonderry BT486HJ
Winner of the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, Father Mother Sister Brother is the eagerly-awaited new film from Jim Jarmusch. Funny, tender and astutely observed, this is an intimate exploration of the universal intricacies of family dynamics. Starring Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore
and Luka Sabbat.
Told in the form of a triptych divided into chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, each story concerns the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and each other. Blending remarkable performances from its ensemble cast with Jarmusch’s wry and idiosyncratic observations of everyday life, the iconic indie director’s latest serves as a timely reminder that you can choose your friends and your lovers, but you can’t choose your family.
TICKETS: £7
Open Decks
14th May 2026, 19.00pm
Black Box Green Room and Bar, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA
Now a monthly staple in the Black Box’s calendar, and in partnership with NI Mental Health Arts Festival, The Black Box presents a night of Open Decks. Join us for a night of electronic music from early career and aspiring DJs and artists at The Black Box. Free Admission.
Any aspiring DJs who might like to sign up or find out more info can get in touch with us at director@blackboxbelfast.com to find out more.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Step-free building, all events on ground floor. Automatic push-buttons for doors. Earplugs available behind the bar. Assistance dogs welcome–please contact Black Box Belfast in advance.
TICKETS: Free, drop in
Negotiating the Industry
14th May 2026, 19.00pm
Accidental Theatre, 12-13 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB
Participants will learn where to find rates, how to negotiate fair changes, and interpreting contracts. Emphasis is placed on worker awareness — understanding personal boundaries, valuing your labour, and identifying what conditions and compensation are acceptable to you.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Building has level access via automatic doors. Lift available. Free tickets for carers available. Event will also be on Zoom.
TICKETS: £10
Lit(erature) to the Tit x Women of Colour Belfast Spoken Word Night: Belonging
14th May 2026, 19.30pm - 20.30pm
The Library Bar (Middle floor), The Watson Bar, 2-14 Little Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2JD
Lit to the Tit and Women of Colour Belfast come together for a special evening as part of the Mental Health Arts NI Mindset Festival, inviting you to explore the theme of belonging through spoken word.
This open mic night welcomes poets, storytellers and artists to share work that reflects on home, identity, community, displacement, joy, grief and everything in between. Belonging can mean many things. It can be found in people, places, language, memory or in the act of speaking your truth out loud.
Whether you are performing or simply coming along to listen, this is a space rooted in care, creativity and connection. We especially encourage voices from communities who have not always been centred or heard. Come as you are. Bring a piece, bring a friend, or just bring yourself. You are welcome here.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: No lift access.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
Accidental Open Mic Night
14th May 2026,
Doors: 20:00pm Show: 20:30pm
Accidental Theatre, 12-13 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB
Join a room full of comics stepping into the unknown — some testing brand-new material for the very first time, others making their debut in front of a live audience. No heckling and no pressure to be perfect. Just people showing up as they are, taking risks, and trying out something new.
Whether you’re thinking about getting on stage, supporting someone who is, or just need a night that feels lighter and more human, this is a place to feel seen, heard, and be reminded that nothings better than a good laugh.
There may be loud noises.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: We offer free companion tickets and we have a lift from the ground floor to the Club space that has accessible bathrooms..
TICKETS: £2 to perform and Free entry for audience members