Brighter Renfrewshire Alcohol Awareness Week was celebrated by RAMH with an alcohol-free BBQ attended by almost 80 guests. The rain stayed off and guests enjoyed a range of non-alcoholic drinks and healthy BBQ food including fish kebabs, grilled chicken, salads and couscous. The smoothie bike allowed guests to blend smoothies by pedaling their choice of fruit into a delicious drink.

Those in attendance included service users and staff from various agencies including alcohol support organisations, local information services such as Renfrewshire CAB, and local councillors.

The event was held in one of three of the beautiful RAMH gardens which is maintained by the Wellbeing Gardening Groups. Ecotherapy is a productive way to manage symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. Plus ecotherapy is beneficial because being outdoors, creating and nurturing plants, and being physically active boosts feelings of wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Gardening Groups are supported in 2017 by Tesco Bags Of Help who awarded three RAMH gardening groups a total of £12,000. The crucial funding means that three gardens will undergo extensive development to create spaces where people experiencing mental ill health can benefit from ecotherapy, enjoy being outdoors and seek peace and solace.