As part of our Perth and Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival we are offering free transport to and from the event in an effort to boost inclusion and accessibility.
Now in its third year, this year’s festival theme is ‘Mental Health for All: Promoting Inclusivity and Connection’, aimed at breaking down the barriers people face when seeking or accessing support. Taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August 2023, the festival offers a packed programme of activities, talks and workshops, allowing visitors to explore everything from mindful photography, arts and crafts, a silent disco and all-ability fitness to art journalling, while also
tapping into support with autism and trauma.
We have have secured £5,500 - £3,000 from charity Paths for All and £2,500 from Stagecoach - providing 500 free East Scotland DayRider tickets (usually £11 per day) for those wishing to attend either / both days of the event. With an East Scotland DayRider ticket, bus travellers can make as many journeys as they like in one day, using any buses within the East Scotland zone, covering Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Angus, Fife, Edinburgh and into Glasgow.
Roxanne Kerr, our CEO and Founder of Perth and Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival said, “When shaping the content for this year’s festival, we were driven by inclusion and accessibility. Too often, we hear that people living in rural communities really struggle to access support for their mental health and wellbeing for a whole host of reasons, including transport and cost.
“Similarly, and especially during this cost of living crisis, many people living in towns and cities simply cannot afford to buy a bus, train ticket or drive to a festival. We are therefore absolutely thrilled to have secured this funding which will essentially remove any obstacles which might have dissuaded people from coming along.”
Sarah Elliott, Commercial Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said, “Safety and the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers is a top priority for us, and we’re thrilled to support this initiative to help provide free travel to the Perth and Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival this August with free bus travel. We are always proud to serve the local community in Perth and are looking forward to welcoming people on board our services who are heading to these events across the festival weekend.”
Rachael Prothero, Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Development Officer for the Open Fund added, “The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund is delighted to be supporting Trauma Healing Together to encourage people to use sustainable travel to access the Perth and Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival 2023 and its Pathways to Hope project.
Trauma Healing Together will offer free bus travel to attendees from rural areas and those struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis, promoting sustainable travel whilst removing barriers to mental health and wellbeing opportunities. The festival and project are important resources for the region, and we are really pleased that Trauma Healing Together is committed to providing a sustainable travel option to make sure the local community is supported to make the most of them.”