I returned home to Leitrim from Italy in 2021 having suffered a sudden and severe episode of psychosis for the first time. Recovery was long and challenging and throughout this time art was my only outlet and helped calm my mind and relax.

Joining the Manorhamilton Printmaking Group in 2022 allowed me to engage in art activities more regularly that were beneficial for my mental health and thanks to this I also found a much needed social outlet and a way to meet people locally.

Having made a full recovery and now gone over 2 years without a relapse in psychosis, I am delighted to be forming a pilot ‘Creative Arts for Wellbeing’ group for other service users in the Leitrim and Sligo Mental Health Service to share the benefits that art has had in my own recovery with others. The group is being formed in collaboration with the local HSE Mental Health Service.

In 2023 I graduated with a first class honours Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Arts Management from the University of Galway, the focus of my final project for this course was developing an arts and mental health initiative.

In December 2023 I was appointed as the Grants & Development Coordinator part time with Helium Arts and know first hand from working with this impactful charity that there is an intrinsic link between the arts and health.

In 2024 I was awarded a place on the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Ideas Academy 2024 Programme to support and develop the project. This experience has been hugely beneficial learning in depth knowledge about the set up and management of Social Enterprises in Ireland and learning about other similar projects.