Impact Arts

Residents in Carbrain, Cumbernauld unveiled a new public artwork
promoting mental health services in their area, following an Impact Arts project.

The artwork, entitled Paths for life, is made up of 40
individual stepping stones designed and created by community members.

Jose Carlos Rivera, an internationally-exhibited Spanish
artist, was commissioned by Impact Arts to deliver tile-making
workshops at venues in Carbrain.

It was part of a partnership between Impact Arts, Suicide
Prevention North Lanarkshire and the Local Community Partnership Team.

Carbrain Gully had been identified as an area of concern for
mental health by social workers in North Lanarkshire. The project was developed
by a steering group also involving social work, NHS Lanarkshire, the Corra
Foundation and Carbrain & Hillcrest Community Council.

The aim of the artwork is to
both raise awareness of crisis services and to create an area for reflection in
nature for local people.

The forty stepping stones
feature a variety of designs, including a phoenix rising from the flames,
Nordic symbols and uplifting, inspiring messages.

The work was unveiled at a
launch event on Thursday 21^st April, attended by Cumbernauld and
Kilsyth MSP Jamie Hepburn, Clyde footballers Chris McStay and Ray Grant, and
dozens of Carbrain residents.

Artist Jose said:
“Working with the local community has been a wonderful experience.”

“It’s been an incredibly valuable way of getting local
residents together to create art, reflect and learn together as a group.

“I hope that this project is a step to promoting unity in
the community of Carbrain, as well as promoting good mental health and suicide
prevention services.”

Jamie Hepburn MSP said: ““It was great to see the artwork
that has been put in place at Carbrain Gully as part of the Paths to Life
project.

“Seeing the community come together to develop the artwork
is a fantastic reminder not only of the powerful impact that art can have, but
of the strong community spirit we have locally.”

Jenny Coxon, Programme Manager of Impact Arts, said: “We’re
delighted by the enthusiasm the Carbrain community has shown for this project.

“As well as initiating conversations about mental health and
wellbeing, we hope the artwork will make the Gully a more welcoming and
inviting place for residents.”