Minding Creative Minds Online Meet & Greet

Minding Creative Minds’ (MCM) in association with The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, EPIC Working Group, Irish Music Rights Organization (IMRO), Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), MCD Productions & The Cowshed will hold its eight online Meet and Greet Session for Ireland’s entire creative community and our Irish overseas on Monday August 30th at 7pm.

“Our forthcoming Meet & Greet will be our eighth session.   What I am most struck by during these gatherings is the amazing network of professionals there are in the Irish arts sectors and what a supportive, kind and innovative group of people we all are part of. The beauty of the meetings is that there is no specific agenda for each meeting so we share whatever is the most relevant information for our sector that week, and we have time to get to know each other in smaller break-out rooms. The atmosphere is friendly and there is no pressure on anyone to participate more than they want to.  It’s been a lovely way for each of us to broaden our network, during what otherwise could have been quite an isolating time.” – Ann Marie Shields, Minding Creative Minds Director and Head of Careers, Industry and Events at BIMM Institute.

Our Meet and Greet Sessions are chaired by Ann Marie Shields, Minding Creative Minds director and Head of Careers, Industry and Events at BIMM Institute and the aim of holding this monthly event is to share experiences and advice with each other, it also aids conversations with our peers.  By attending some of us may wish to talk over something, others may have questions and some may wish to simply attend as spectators, just to find out a little more about what we do; whatever works for you in attending, works for us.  It is wonderful to have met so many of our creative industry colleagues, some of whom we had not known previously, since our first online session last December.  In the twelve months since Minding Creative Minds launched its services, this monthly online meet and greet session is just one of the initiatives we have introduced.  Once it is safe to do so, we look forward to meeting our peers in person also. 

Our Meet and Greet Sessions are free of charge to attend.  If you would like to offer feedback on the structure to any session we would love to hear from you to info@mindingcreativeminds.ie.  Your feedback and suggestions will help us at Minding Creative Minds maximise our efficiency in aiding and supporting your needs.

“MCM check ins are proving to be a hugely valuable and insightful peak into the many varied issues we are all experiencing during these hard times. We see and get to hear the many different ways we have all been affected; from the financial, legal and mental health problems many of us are experiencing in our isolated lives we are seeing that a shared experience and safe space to voice our concerns and be heard as a community is proving to be a valued collective space.  And more so, going forward is a space we can all return to as a community to seek solace, comfort and unity.”  Rowan McDonagh, The Cowshed

Please feel free to enter any questions you might have, or an area of interest you have when registering. We would love your input;

• Are there any topics you would like us to cover?
• Do you have a question you would like to discuss or present for advice from other participants? 
• Do you have any well-being tips or resources that you would like to share?

Last December due to its existing funding partners and new funding by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Minding Creative Minds was very grateful to be in a position to open its services to the entire creative community, both in Ireland and our Irish overseas (circa 55,000 people in total).  

Minding Creative Minds is Ireland’s (32 county and Irish overseas) first 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support programme for the Irish Creative Sector and includes access to the following services.

• 24/7 Dedicated Phone Line (Phone 1800 814 244) (Calling from NI – 0800 0903677)
• You can also text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 for SMS & WhatsApp Support (standard rate applies) with a qualified psychotherapist / counsellor.
• Counselling Service (Short term intervention / Up to 6 Sessions)
• Telephone Counselling 
• Secure Video Counselling
• Extensive Web Portal & App enabling live chat function with a counsellor  

In addition to the mental health support offered, Minding Creative Minds wishes to look at the whole individual resulting in the programme also offering access to a number of additional services structured to help users with various issues they may be experiencing.  These include;

• Advice on practical, day-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress
• Legal Assistance for a range of issues
• Financial Assistance & Consumer Advice
• Career Guidance & Life Coaching
• Support for Non-Irish Nationals & their families
• Mediation for conflict resolution

For more information, please contact:
Ailish Toohey @ Collective Mgmt. & PR | Communications Manager Minding Creative Minds (MCM)T. +353 87 2313360 | E. ailish@mindingcreativeminds.ie | ailish@collectivemgmt.com