“New Shoots” creative programme features in Waterford’s ‘Well’ Festival

An exhibition comprising a collection of photographic images captured by users of the HSE’s mental health services locally is running for the month of February and as part of the ‘Well’ Festival of Arts and Wellbeing in Waterford’s Central Library.

“New Shoots” is the culmination of a four year creative programme supported by HSE Dublin and South East, in partnership with the Arts Office of Waterford City and County Council and also supported by Mental Health Ireland, the Europe Direct information service and Waterford City and County Council

The “New Shoots” programme has been led by visual artist Rosaleen Heavin, working with Eileen Byrne (Senior Occupational Therapist, HSE Waterford Mental Health Services).

The exhibition, showing in its ‘Index Gallery’ was officially launched at an event in the Central Library this week by the Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Séamus Ryan.

Running from the 16th to the 21st of February, the ‘Well’ Festival of Arts and Wellbeing celebrates the benefits of participation in the arts for everybody, is presented by Réalta (Waterford Healing Arts), Garter Lane Arts Centre (with funding from the Arts Council) and Waterford City and County Library Service. It is also supported by the Dept. of Social Protection.

In addition to the Mayor Cllr. Ryan and Rosaleen Heavin, others to address the launch of “New Shoots” were Gina Delaney (Development Officer/South East, Mental Health Ireland, funders of the first “New Shoots” programme in 2021), Margaret Organ (Arts Officer, Waterford City and County Council, funders of the three 2022-25 programmes) and Sandra, one of the programme’s participants.

Speaking about the “New Shoots” programme, Eileen Byrne (Senior Occupational Therapist, HSE Waterford Mental Health Services) said:

“Beginning at a time of COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions in 2021 and in the years since, “New Shoots” has been a hugely positive experience for the participants involved. With encouragement and guidance from visual artist Rosaleen, some amazing images were created and are among the 47 on display in the exhibition.”

“Examples include ‘It started from a single thread’ (where droplets of water have formed in a web on a briar), ‘Harvest Done’ (featuring blue sky, sunshine, its shades and baled hay on a summer landscape) and ‘Setback Rebuild: This is the Way’ (where two Star War lego figures are placed, looking at their disassembled space-ship).”

“The HSE was delighted to partner with the range of people involved in this programme. Creativity is hugely beneficial from an Occupational Therapy perspective in exploring self-identity, in nurturing connectedness with others and the world around us, while promoting a sense of well-being. Each of these elements was certainly evident throughout this creative programme.”

“We are especially pleased to have been invited to exhibit at the Central Library, as part of the ‘Well’ Festival and to be guests at an occasion there with the Mayor. It is all very much in the nature of this annual Festival, which echoes nature’s journey from winter into spring, with the evenings getting a little brighter and new life beginning to appear. The images captured and on display in “New Shoots” also underline an aim of the ‘Well’ Festival in encouragement of exploration, reaching out and the making of new connections.”