This week the Foolish Optimism: Hope in Action Podcast features David Fletcher, owner of Viperstrike Airsoft Dundee and Michael Elliott. Front Lounge volunteer and a member of the airsoft community in Dundee. They chatted about the community that has grown around Viperstrike, mental health, and what being a part of Viperstrike means to them. The podcast …
My name is Michael Elliott. I am 24 and I come from a care experienced background. My mental health problems don’t really have anything to do with being in care. They really began when my tendency to overwork myself really took its toll. I thought I could bury my issues with college, university, work: I …
This week’s film, Daily Battle, features the voices of men struggling with their mental health. The film was made on site at Viperstrike Airsoft, and explores some of the challenges faced by men who attend the club, including ex-military personnel coping with PTSD. Foolish Optimism’s Michael Elliott approached club owner David Fletcher about producing a …
This week’s Hope in Action podcast was recorded at Haven – a drop-in and activity centre in Hilltown in Dundee, and part of the Hearing Voices Network. They provide a safe and non-judgemental space to talk about mental health issues with people who have both lived experience and professional support capability. Haven is a wonderful …
Things To Live For is a short film I made with my best mate Andrew Compston. It was simple and painless; just me and my pal having a chat about the ups and downs of life, while we had coffee in a nice cafe. Should I really do this? When Foolish Optimism (the project) asked …
“Things to Live For” is the first of the Foolish Optimism: Hope In Action suite of films. Featuring Daniella ‘Deej’ James and Andrew Compston, this is an uplifting film of two friends having frank conversation about what keeps them going through the tough times… What keeps you going through the tough times? Join the conversation …
It has been approximately nine months since the premiere of Foolish Optimism, and six months since the end of the tour which took us, and our film, all across Scotland. We have had so many rich and meaningful conversations about the future of young people and mental health in this country. You have all made …
