The store on Munches Street is run by Support in Mind Scotland service users and all the stock has been created by them.
It has had a makeover ahead of its grand reopening, with new and different ideas to make it fresh and vibrant.
On offer are paintings, photography, crafts, needlework and general artwork, with all profits going for improvements to the building, art materials and essentials like tables and lighting.
Those running the shop are from the charity’s Life Skills service, which provides opportunities for personal development and employability skills improvement through a combination of group work and one-to-one support for adults who are affected by mental health issues. They have received general retail training.
As well as selling art, the site aims to promote the Life Skills service and Support in Mind Scotland, as well as raise awareness of mental ill health in the community
Service manager John Scott said: “The shop gives us the opportunity to incorporate all the skills we are trying to help service users develop into the groups and activities we run. That includes attention-to-detail, meeting deadlines, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, and planning and organising.
“For staff, the rewards come when we get to tell a service user that something they have created has just been sold. It’s particularly great when tourists visit the shop and can’t get enough of the items on sale.”
