Oor Mad History - what next?

Oor Mad History at work

We had a great afternoon today, talking about Oor Mad History. Kirsten reminded us of everything we've done since we first got started in the summer of 2008 and then we talked about what we want to do next.

We came up with lots of ideas, most of which involved humour and creativity and how Oor Mad History can challenge stigma and outdated ideas about mad people.

So now we need to go through all the post-it notes and flip chart sheets and see what we can do.

Thanks to everyone who came today and to everyone who has been involved over the past few years. Onwards and upwards!

One of the constants at the Principles into Practice awards event was the use of the arts. Not just a way of passing the time, art - whether painting or writing or performing - is a way of finding your voice and telling your story.

And this is something we have been doing, especially at our exhibition last October. Jimmy Osborne's scupltures and photography stimulated a lot of discussion. We shared the space at Out of the Blue with exhibitions of art by people at Outlook and Equally Connected as well as award winning Much More Than a Label, CAPS PD project.

As well as Jimmy, other people involved with Oor Mad History are artists and writers. Sharon, a volunteer in the archive, is a writer and her book Prozac and Prayers was published last year. Jim and Anne both write as well and Anne has started doing comics. Who knows what other creativity exists?

We are now thinking about the future and how to use various arts - music, drama, visual art, writing - to record and remember our history and to tell it in new ways.

Any ideas? Leave a comment, or contact us at our new email address: contact@oormadhistory.org

Principles into Practice event

Yesterday we went through to Glasgow to speak at the Principles into practice awards event.

The Principles into Practice Network is part of the Mental Welfare Commission and "aims to promote care and treatment that is in line with the principles of mental health law."

Keith and Anne spoke about Oor Mad History, what we have done and what we hope to do in the future.

It was great speaking to so many people in the breaks about Oor Mad History and about their work. Anne spoke to someone who was involved in West Lothian in the early days - so maybe another interview is on the cards?

The highlight for us was seeing the CAPS PD project and the Self-harm Service at the Royal Edinburgh win the Service user participation and influence Award for their joint work.

Both the SHS and the PDP work are user-led and -directed services which support service users to have a direct impact on the care and support they need. Both projects were set up in response to service user lobbying about the gaps in support and services for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder.

 History continues to be made!