Our story began when we met as students of the MSc Mad Studies course at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. A group of mad scholars and mental health activists, we were inspired by what we were learning and so we started running meetup groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
We were fortunate to receive grants from the Edge Fund which allowed us to develop a website, grow our membership and pursue mad projects whilst completing coursework at QMU.
In this way we formed the Mad Insight Collective, our springboard for events, presentations, meetups, outings and just general mad mayhem.
In spring 2025, Julia had the great fortune to connect with Matt Bodett, the founder of the Center for Mad Culture which is based in Chicago, USA. Matt gave her wonderful advice and encouragement, and from this nudge of mad solidarity Julia set up a community interest company: the Centre for Mad Culture UK! We are not officially affiliated with CMC in Chicago but we are friends and allies.
Formally launching in October 2025, the Centre for Mad Culture UK aims to be a vibrant hub of information, activities and community for madfolk and their friends, families and allies. Together we celebrate the mad voice and invoke change in the way that society responds to it.
From QMU students to the Mad Insight Collective to the Centre for Mad Culture UK… for every step along the way we hope to bring real systemic change to how madness is received. We cherish the mad experience and we celebrate the mad voice.
