A WEEK of art exhibitions and activities to support people with their mental health will be taking place across the town later this month.

Swindon Wellbeing and Arts Week will run from February 9 to 16, with local organisations offering a selection of activities like painting, crafts and dancing to raise awareness of how art can have a positive impact on people’s mental health.

There will also be a series of art exhibitions at various locations - the full programme can be found on the festival's Facebook page.

Public, private, community and voluntary sector organisations are coming together to promote positive messages around mental health to remove the stigma and encourage more local people to support each other.

Coun Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council’s mental health champion and cabinet member for adults, said: “Mental health is something which affects each and every one of us so it is important we take positive steps to look after it, and support others to do so as well.

“As a council, we want to spread positive messages around mental wellbeing across the borough and we really value the fantastic partnership work taking place. I’d urge more organisations to get involved and help get people talking about mental health and take steps to help themselves and others around them.”