This spring the Centre for Mad Culture UK successfully supported the running of Outlook, a course within the City of Edinburgh’s adult education programme. Outlook at 35 celebrated the course’s anniversary: it was first established in 1991 as a learning destination for people with experience of psychiatric hospitalisation. This year the team included course leader Alex and disability activist Sasha, together with Azra and myself from Centre for Mad Culture.
Outlook at 35 focused on the topic of human rights. Over twelve weeks we explored different themes connected to human rights (for example: political participation, education, privacy and peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and access to culture) through presentations and discussions, as well as creative activities. The creative output from the course will culminate in an exhibition in October, hosted by the Living Memory Association at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh.
Our collaboration with Outlook at 35 highlighted learning, community and solidarity. Each session focused on the importance of lived experience through conversation and co-creation. The mix of lectures, presentations, discussion and creativity underpinned an important and vital space of insight, activism, and hope. The Centre for Mad Culture UK is very grateful to have partnered with Outlook at 35 and we look forward to further dynamic collaborations with them in the future.