As part of the build up and preparation for this year’s festival, we wanted to introduce you to some of our dedicated team members who play a crucial role in making the festival a success each year. These individuals bring their unique skills and passion to the table, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. We are incredibly thankful for the many partners and volunteers who support us along the way; their commitment and enthusiasm create a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the experience for all attendees. Here are just some of the key players and contributors who help bring our vision to life, making this festival a memorable event for everyone involved.
Sam Hodkinson – Joint North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival Lead and Engagement officer for Mental Health Services – NAHSCP
Sam has been joint lead for our North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival over the past two and a half years along with Claire Gray-Wilson, where they have collaboratively worked to create a vibrant platform for artists and individuals to express their mental health journeys through various art forms. Sam qualified as a staff nurse in 1993 and has had a varied career working across acute and critical care areas within the NHS as a charge nurse and nurse lecturer, gaining invaluable experience. Following a post grad in Community Learning and Development a number of years ago, Sam has enjoyed a range of roles supporting communities and for the past 2 and half years has been the mental health services engagement officer within North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership. Sam is passionate about mental health and wellbeing, community development and how the creative arts can allow us to engage in ways we would not be able to do using more traditional methods.
“We are excited about another year running our Mental Health Arts Festival along side the Mental Health Foundation and really looking forward to delivering a jam packed community programme for everyone to enjoy again!”
Claire Gray- Wilson – Joint North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival Lead and Assistant Arts Officer (Arts and Culture Team, North Ayrshire Council)
Hi my name is Claire, I work as part of the NAC Arts & Culture Team. My job focuses on connecting with everyone and anyone in North Ayrshire who use the arts and ideally supporting them in any way I can. This is my third year working on the festival and I am super passionate about creating space where creativity and mental health can go hand in hand. Always up for a chat ❤
Jeannette Allan – Recovery College Manager – North Ayrshire Wellbeing and Recovery College, RAMH
Jeanette Allan, Manager of North Ayrshire Wellbeing & Recovery College (NAWARC) and an Occupational Therapist. Involved in SMHAF since 2008 while working in Glasgow NHS and member of the North Ayrshire festival steering group for the past two and a half years. Passionate about arts for wellbeing and recovery. NAWARC offers a variety of creative expression courses including Write 2 Recovery, Song Writing, Creative Recovery, Touch of Glass, Poetry for Wellbeing and has supported artists to exhibit their work and poets and singers to perform as part of the SMHAF programme. Jeanette is delighted to be part of the SMHAF team in North Ayrshire.
Hazel Brown – TSI Development Officer – Arran CVS
My role involves supporting third sector organisations in North Ayrshire to work together within the third sector and to work with our partners in the public sector, with the aims of improving outcomes for the people in North Ayrshire. My background is in Psychology and I have a passion for wellbeing and suicide prevention.
I believe everyone can benefit from being involved in the arts in some way, whether that’s by taking a mindful moment to capture some images on a walk, putting pen to paper, or jumping right in and getting up on stage with some fellow performers.
Karen Lee – Health Improvement Officer- Mental Health – NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Karen Lee is the Health Improvement Officer for Mental Health within the Public Health department. She joined the NHS over 30 years ago and has worked across addiction serices, workplace suport and mental wellbeing. Karen is passionate abour empowering people to build resilience and explore creative approaches to wellbeing. In her own life she enjoys going to the gym, walking, music and film/theatre to support her own mental health.
Kyle Campbell – Disabled Queer Performing Artist | Actor (Theatre) | TV/Film Researcher | Community Arts Facilitator
I’m a multidisciplinary creative with a deep-rooted passion for avant-garde performance, acting, and community arts engagement.
Currently undertaking a Master’s in Creative Media Practice, I’m expanding my toolkit—building a strong research foundation to complement my practical experience in acting, directing, producing; editing; podcasting; photography; fine art; creative writing (for stage/screen & poetry) and presenting.
I’m particularly passionate about collaborative projects that sit at the intersection of art and activism, and I’m actively seeking opportunities as an actor, researcher (TV/film), or community arts officer.
Let’s connect if you’re working on bold, socially engaged work—or if you simply believe in the power of art to shift perspectives and foster community.
Dominic Jarrett – Learning Disabilities Development Manager – NAHSCP
Dominic has been working with the Learning Disability Service in Ayrshire for over 20 years. Over that time he has undertaken a variety of service development, and evaluation activity, as well as leading on (and undertaking) research in relation to integration, parents with learning disabilities, and accessible information. His current role as the Learning Disabilities Development Manager in North Ayrshire HSCP has involved a number of collaborations with colleagues from the School of Innovation and Technology Glasgow School of Art, as well as a focus on arts-based activity as a means of raising awareness and developing new perspectives. The role of technology in the lives of people with learning disabilities is also a focus, as evidenced in North Ayrshire’s ongoing collaboration with SCLD and Scottish Care on a Digital Inclusion project.
Ayrshire Film Company
Ayrshire Film Company CIC is a video production social enterprise that creates high quality video content across Ayrshire & beyond. As a social enterprise they support young people and the wider community with projects, training and real world opportunities in all aspects of new media.
Ayrshire Film Company is supporting the North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival by contributing to the steering group and collating photo and video content into a short video to celebrate the achievements of the 2025 festival
North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival 